Arike Ogunbowale 'Excited' for Notre Dame Return for Wings' Preseason Matchup Against Aces
Arike Ogunbowale is excited to return to Notre Dame as the Dallas Wings face the Las Vegas Aces in a special WNBA preseason game at Purcell Pavilion.
The Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces will meet for a special preseason showcase at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on Friday, May 2, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
The matchup will serve as a homecoming for three of Notre Dame’s most celebrated alumni: Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas), Jewell Loyd (Las Vegas), and Jackie Young (Las Vegas).
For Ogunbowale, it will mark a long-awaited return to the court where she made her name as one of the greatest players in program history. The all-time leading scorer in Notre Dame women’s basketball history with 2,626 points, Ogunbowale captured national attention by hitting game-winning shots in both the national semifinal and championship games of the 2018 NCAA Final Four. She finished her collegiate career with 136 wins, three ACC titles, and a national championship.
“Just being back at home — I mean, that’s the place I grew up,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I played there for four years. I get to see my coaches, get to see some old fans, get to see my family since I live like three hours away, so I'm excited about that.”
The contest will feature several of the WNBA’s top players returning to their college roots. Loyd, a 2015 ESPNw National Player of the Year, recently joined the Aces after a decorated career with the Seattle Storm that included two WNBA championships and six All-Star appearances. Young, the 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball and a key figure in Notre Dame’s 2018 national title run, has become a two-time WNBA champion and three-time All-Star with Las Vegas.
Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft and a new backcourt teammate of Ogunbowale in Dallas, said she expects an intense atmosphere at Purcell Pavilion. Bueckers knows the Fighting Irish program well, having lost 79-68 to them on Dec. 12 in the Shamrock Classic, despite a 25-point, four-rebound, and four-assist performance. Another matchup occurred at Gampel Pavilion in 2021, when Buckers provided 22 points, four rebounds, four assists, and five steals in a 73-54 victory.
“An amazing turnout,” Bueckers said. “I know at Notre Dame, they love their women’s basketball. Obviously, for Arike, I think Jewell, Jackie — I’m not sure if I’m missing anybody — but it’s a Notre Dame alum game. Not so much for me being from UConn, but I know it’s a great environment. I think it’ll be a great turnout there.”
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey expressed similar enthusiasm for the game.
“We are super excited to be able to welcome WNBA championship organizations in the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings to Purcell Pavilion while supporting Arike, Jackie, and Jewell and inspiring the current Notre Dame team and the South Bend community,” Ivey said.
Ogunbowale, a four-time WNBA All-Star (two-time ASG MVP) and a two-time All-WNBA selection, has averaged 20.6 points per game during her professional career after being selected fifth overall by the Wings in the 2019 WNBA Draft. After two days of Wings training camp, she praised the competitive spirit the team has already shown.
“I think our rookies have looked really good and our free agents too,” Ogunbowale said. “I can't even say anyone specific, but everybody came to compete and I'm happy about that.”
She also noted that this year’s roster offers a different look compared to past Wings teams.
“I don't even really think this team compares too much because we have a lot of skill on this team,” Ogunbowale said. “So I think it's gonna be a lot different. It's gonna be really fun.”
Some of the wisdom Ogunbowale has gained during her WNBA career, since her time at Notre Dame, includes letting your work speak for itself and being consistent.
“You gotta be able to grind it out. You have to work,” Ogunbowale said. “Everybody’s good. Everybody was a top player at their college, so it’s about what separates you. That's really the offseason — what you do with your body, mentally, and for me, spiritually. Staying focused, staying God-driven, and just hard work, really.”
Presale tickets for the Wings-Aces game were made available to Notre Dame women’s basketball season ticket members beginning March 4, with additional presale opportunities for other Notre Dame athletics ticket holders and students. Tickets for the general public went on sale March 11. More information is available at FightingIrish.com/buytickets.
For Ogunbowale, Friday night’s preseason matchup is about more than basketball — it’s a celebration of her roots and a rare opportunity to reconnect with the place where her journey began.