Amy Okonkwo’s WNBA journey has come full circle. Seven years after interning with the Dallas Wings’ basketball operations staff, she will take the floor as a player for the same franchise.
The Wings signed the 6-foot-2 forward to a seven-day hardship contract this week, and she will be available for Friday’s matchup against the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. For Okonkwo, the opportunity carries added meaning.
In 2018, before her senior year at TCU, Okonkwo worked with the Wings as a Basketball Operations Assistant. She spent the summer in Arlington learning the behind-the-scenes aspects of the franchise, assisting staff directly with team operations. She has described the experience as pivotal, providing a valuable perspective that makes her return as a player especially meaningful.
“Oh, no. It’s amazing being able to play here in Dallas,” Okonkwo told DallasHoopsJournal.com after Friday’s shootaround. “Going to TCU and watching games, working for the Wings in 2018 as an intern, and then coming back to be able to play and be on the court is an amazing feeling. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
Okonkwo went on to earn Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year honors at TCU before building an international résumé. She played in Spain, Israel, Mexico, and most recently France, where she averaged 14.2 points and 5.2 rebounds for Bourges while shooting nearly 48 percent from three. She is also a two-time AfroBasket MVP and represented Nigeria in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
Amy Okonkwo on Finding Her Role
Now back in Texas, Okonkwo said her focus with Dallas will be on playing her game while fitting into the team’s system. She emphasized that her role won’t be about overcomplicating things but instead about relying on the habits she’s built during her professional career.
“Be myself and shoot when I’m open and try to help find my teammates open, play hard defense, and give a lot of energy,” Okonkwo said to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Yeah, they told me to be myself and that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
She added that her experience with the Nigerian national team makes her well-suited for the Wings’ current style, which has leaned on smaller lineups and defensive versatility.
“With my national team, we play very hard-nosed defense, switching, making things difficult for the opponent, and I think it’ll help me out here,” she explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com.
Okonkwo also highlighted teammates she feels she can complement.
“Obviously, Paige is a great player, but Grace Berger‘s a great one, Luisa Geiselsöder is a great one, Myisha. I think I can complement everybody a little bit,” she remarked to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I think playing together is the best way, and I’ll do my best to help them, and I’m sure they’ll do the best to help me and find a way.”
Dallas Wings Set to Face Seattle Storm
The Wings (9-27) return home after being eliminated from playoff contention in Wednesday’s 81-80 loss at Los Angeles, despite rookie guard Paige Bueckers setting a league rookie record with 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting.
Seattle (18-18) enters Friday’s contest fresh off a 94-88 victory at Chicago. The Wings will aim to even the season series after winning the most recent meeting, 87-63, on July 22 in Seattle.
Dallas will remain without Arike Ogunbowale (knee), Tyasha Harris (knee), Li Yueru (knee), and JJ Quinerly (knee).
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
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- WNBA News: “We’ve Got to Be Better Defensively”: Dallas Wings Overwhelmed by Las Vegas Aces’ 18 Threes, A’ja Wilson in Loss
- WNBA News: “It’s About How You Contribute to Winning”: Paige Bueckers Breaks Dallas Wings Rookie Assist Record, Fastest to 500 Points
- WNBA News: “I Saw That Dog in Her Today”: Paige Bueckers Shines but Dallas Wings’ Late Rally Falls Short vs. Los Angeles Sparks
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
