“We’re Still Learning”: Arike Ogunbowale on Adjusting to New-Look Dallas Wings, Chemistry with Paige Bueckers [Exclusive]

In Tuesday night’s 109–87 road win over the Connecticut Sun, the Dallas Wings delivered their most complete performance of the young season. Rookie guard Paige Bueckers scored a career-high 21 points in her return to Mohegan Sun Arena. Five players scored in double figures, and Dallas set season highs in points, assists, steals, shooting percentage, and rebounding margin.

For Arike Ogunbowale, who added 19 points and tied her career high with six steals, the win was about more than just the box score. It was a potential breakthrough — and a reminder that building something new takes time, as the team achieved its first win through five games.

“I know a lot of people are talking — 0-4, bad shooting, whatever it is. But it’s really hard to learn a new system and play with a whole new team,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It’s not like it’s a new coach with the same team — everything’s new. I’m a competitor. You guys know what I do day in and day out. This has definitely been a hard adjustment, but I’ve been giving myself grace, giving the team grace. We know we’re going to stick with it. We have 39 more games. We couldn’t have thought it would just click overnight. We’re still learning. We still have a long way to go — which is good, because we’re only going to get better.”

Arike Ogunbowale is Balancing Aggression in New System

Ogunbowale came alive in the third quarter with 15 of her 19 points, including three consecutive three-pointers to halt a Connecticut rally. It was a decisive stretch — and a shift in mentality.

She entered Tuesday’s game averaging 13.8 points, 3.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in 31.3 minutes per contest — solid across the board, but not quite at the scoring efficiency she’s used to. Through the first five games, Ogunbowale posted shooting splits of 30.0% from the field, 25.0% from three-point range, and 90.0% at the line. Her performance in Connecticut was a clear sign of progression amid her adjustment.

“I’ve just been trying to get used to the system, trying not to overdo it, and still share the ball,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “But I definitely had to get back to myself — and I think I did in the second half.”

After shooting just 2-for-10 with five points in Saturday’s loss to Atlanta, Tuesday’s bounce-back effort was exactly what the Wings needed — and a reminder of the dynamic impact Ogunbowale can make when she finds her rhythm.

Adjusting to the rhythm of a new team has been a process, especially with Bueckers learning the point guard role at the WNBA level. The starting unit has featured a brand-new mix each night, with Ogunbowale sharing the floor alongside Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Myisha Hines-Allen. That blend of rookie talent and veteran presence is still finding its identity.

As the team works through spacing, timing, and flow in head coach Chris Koclanes’ system, Ogunbowale has adopted a more off-the-ball approach and learned to read the offense, picking her spots effectively.

“Yeah, it’s definitely a feel,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We have a lot of great players now. Whereas before I might have been able to shoot a bunch, now we’ve got players who can knock down shots too. So I’m just trying to feel it out, share the ball — and we can all score. I think we showed that today.”

“When people are knocking down shots, defenses pay more attention to them,” she continued. “Then they can swing it, and we’ll knock down shots too. When everybody’s a threat, it opens the floor wide open.”

Setting a Defensive Tone and Supporting Paige Bueckers

While her scoring helped power the Wings’ second-half surge, Ogunbowale’s six steals were equally impactful. Dallas forced 16 Connecticut turnovers and scored 24 points off them — something Ogunbowale takes pride in setting the tone for.

“I led the league in steals last year, so I’m just getting back to that,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Defense always leads to offense. I’m just trying to get into gaps, create pressure, and help the team however I can.”

Ogunbowale also highlighted the development of Bueckers, who led the Wings with a career-best 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while adding seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block in her fifth WNBA game. Bueckers became the first rookie this season to post a 20-5-5 stat line while shooting 80% from the field, and the fastest player in league history to reach 60 points and 30 assists through her first five games.

“She’s catching the flow of the WNBA,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It’s not easy — not at all — but she’s learning really fast. She’s a mature point guard. She’s getting us organized quicker and coming up with play calls faster. She’s definitely improving every game.”

With the win behind them, the Wings (1–4) will look to carry momentum into Thursday’s road matchup against the Chicago Sky. And while the group is still in the early stages of building chemistry, Ogunbowale made it clear they’re committed to the process.

“We’re still learning, but I’m excited about it,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

More Dallas Wings Articles

• “We’re All Learning Each Other”: How Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale Are Building Chemistry with the Dallas Wings
• “We Looked Like a Team”: Paige Bueckers Leads Dallas Wings to First Win Over Sun in Return to Connecticut
• “It’s Like My Second Home”: Paige Bueckers Returns to Connecticut Reflecting on Her Journey from UConn to the WNBA
• “They Choose to Fight”: Dallas Wings’ Late Rally Falls Short Against Atlanta Dream as Winless Start Continues