McCoughtry defends Sen. Loeffler, controversial co-owner of Dream

Las Vegas Aces forward Angel McCoughtry released a statement in support of U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler amid insider trading allegations against the Atlanta Dream co-owner.

"I love Kelly Loeffler. She has done nothing but give, give, give!!" McCoughtry, who starred for the Dream for the past decade, declared on Twitter on Thursday. "She has helped us women continue to maintain a job, even when she has made nothing in return. Kelly has always had my back when I needed her, and she would have yours, too."

Loeffler was appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to fill the state's vacant Senate seat effective Jan. 6. The Republican politician has drawn sharp criticism from ethics watchdogs in recent weeks after she and her husband Jeffrey Sprecher, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, sold millions of dollars in stocks related to industries that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Although there is no evidence the transactions broke laws or violated Senate rules, according to CNN's Jeremy Herb, the sales came after senators received closed-door briefings on the new coronavirus, and before global markets began to decline.

"I will never judge a person on their political views," McCoughtry added. "That's what makes the world unique. We get so caught up on what's going wrong. I remember the million things Kelly has done right."

McCoughtry signed with the Aces this winter after spending the entirety of her WNBA career with the Dream. From 2009-2019, the five-time All-Star averaged 19.1 points, five rebounds, three assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Additionally, McCoughtry helped Team USA secure gold medals at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.