DHJ Quick Take: Arike Ogunbowale’s Arrival
- The Monday Milestone: Arike Ogunbowale‘s arrival on Monday evening marks the transition of the Wings‘ camp into its most critical phase. As Curt Miller noted, Ogunbowale is the final pillar of a “Top 8” group that has been trickling in from overseas, joining Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, and Awak Kuier as foundational pieces still being integrated into the system.
- Dramatic Facility Change: Head coach Jose Fernandez was blunt: “When they get here, things in this practice facility are going to change dramatically.” Adding a four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP—fresh off an Unrivaled championship with Mist BC—immediately raises the competitive floor in Arlington.
- Remote Terminology: To combat the late start, the coaching staff has been working with Ogunbowale remotely, walking her through terminology and sets after every practice. This ensures that while she missed the opening week, she won’t be starting from scratch when she finally steps onto the College Park Center floor.
- The “Patience” Period: With the season opener in Indiana on May 9, Miller has emphasized the need for “patience and grace.” The Wings will have limited continuity compared to other contenders, making Ogunbowale’s veteran leadership—and her chemistry with Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd—vital to a successful May stretch.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale is expected to rejoin training camp early next week after wrapping up her Chinese Championship series, general manager Curt Miller said, making her one of the last of the team’s top players to arrive as first-year head coach Jose Fernandez continues installing a new system.
Miller told reporters Ogunbowale had advanced to Game 5 of the Chinese Championship and projected her return to Dallas on Monday evening.
“Arike has advanced to Game 5 of the Chinese Championship series and will most likely arrive back in the States Monday evening,” Miller said.
Ogunbowale is one of four of the Wings’ projected top-eight players who have missed the opening stretch of training camp, along with Alanna Smith, Awak Kuier, and Jessica Shepard. Miller said the staggered arrivals have placed an added burden on Fernandez and the Dallas coaching staff.
“The hardest part is on the coaching staff. Jose is implementing a new system, and we’re missing key players,” Miller said. “Four of our top eight players, Alanna Smith, Awak Kuier, Jess Shepard, and Arike, aren’t here. There needs to be patience and some grace early in the season.”
Ogunbowale, a four-time WNBA All-Star, has averaged 19.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over seven seasons in Dallas. She averaged 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over 29 games in 2025, following a career-high 22.2 points per game in 2024, which earned her All-WNBA Second Team honors.
Starting Role Alongside Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd
Miller outlined a projected starting lineup that features Ogunbowale alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, Shepard, and Smith, with the Wings’ offseason moves largely built to complement the existing core, including Ogunbowale and the young guards.
“When you look at a projected lineup of Paige, Arike, Azzi, Jess, and Alanna, and then a second unit of Odyssey, Aziaha, Maddy Siegrist, Awak, and Li, that’s a strong 10,” Miller said. “And we haven’t even mentioned Alysha Clark. We’re excited about the depth and how the roster is shaping up.”
Teammates Await Scoring Punch
Forward Maddy Siegrist, who has shared the Dallas lineup with Ogunbowale for the past three seasons, said the pieces added this offseason will take on a new dimension once Ogunbowale is integrated into the offense. Siegrist was asked directly about what Ogunbowale will bring when she joins camp.
“Obviously we have a lot of pieces not here, so as we add those players in, it’ll be really exciting to see how it goes offensively and defensively,” Siegrist said. “I’ve been playing with her for what feels like forever, three years, so she’s a tremendous shot maker. I think that brings an exciting element, and with all the different movement and sets, it’ll be really fun to watch.”
Bueckers, entering her second season in Dallas, included Ogunbowale as part of the returning core that she said has made the Wings’ offseason additions especially appealing.
“I’m super excited. We got a lot of great pieces in free agency,” Bueckers said. “Bringing back Arike and having those core pieces with great additions, it’s really exciting.”
Smith, who signed with Dallas in free agency this offseason, pointed to Ogunbowale and Siegrist as central to the pitch that brought her to the franchise.
“I liked the young core. I think they’ve got a lot of talent,” Smith said. “And then also bringing back players like Arike and Maddy as well. I think we’ve got a bright future ahead.”
Jose Fernandez Emphasizes Arike Ogunbowale in Dallas Wings’ Draw
Fernandez identified Ogunbowale as one of the marquee names driving the Wings’ rise in national interest heading into 2026, grouping her with Bueckers, Fudd, and the team’s free agent additions as reasons the franchise is among the most nationally televised teams in the league this season.
“It’s great for the organization. The growth of the WNBA gives us an opportunity to showcase our team and franchise,” Fernandez said. “With players like Paige, Azzi, and Arike, along with what we added in free agency, people are going to be excited to watch us.”
Miller added that Dallas’ travel-market appeal backed up the interest Fernandez described.
“We were the second-highest drawing team on the road last year, which reflects the interest in this team,” Miller said. “It’s not surprising that Indiana and Dallas are among the most nationally televised teams.”
What’s Next
Ogunbowale’s Monday return will give Fernandez his first extended look at a projected starting backcourt of Bueckers, Ogunbowale, and Fudd, three of the headline names on a roster still coming together piece by piece. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Smith are expected back Saturday, and Shepard could follow Saturday or Monday, depending on her Italian League Championship series.
Kuier remains the one Wings player without a confirmed return date as she awaits an immigration appointment in Finland.
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