“We’re All Starting Fresh”: Paige Bueckers Headlines Grit-Fueled Dallas Wings Reset in 2025
The 2025 Dallas Wings aren’t just reshuffling the roster — they’re reimagining what this franchise can be.
Following a 9–31 campaign that closed the book on a previous era, Dallas overhauled its front office, brought in a new head coach, and turned over three-quarters of its roster. With just three players returning — Arike Ogunbowale, Teaira McCowan, and Maddy Siegrist — the Wings infused the team with fresh leadership and youthful energy.
No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers headlines a highly regarded rookie class that includes JJ Quinerly, Aziaha James, and Madison Scott. Veterans like Myisha Hines-Allen, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and NaLyssa Smith bring experience and identity. And with first-year head coach Chris Koclanes and general manager Curt Miller aligned on system and culture, the franchise enters 2025 with clarity and intention.
And yet, through all that change, one thing has remained consistent: the shared purpose.
The Makeup of the Dallas Wings: Toughness, Vulnerability, and Buy-In
The Wings are not just young or newly assembled — they’re emotionally invested. This version of the franchise has emphasized accountability, defensive edge, and communication. The tone was evident from the first days of camp: players want to be here and build something meaningful.
“The vibe is different,” said NaLyssa Smith. “We’re competing hard but uplifting each other. We’re all in it together.”
Smith, a former lottery pick returning to Texas for a new chapter, has emerged as one of the team’s most vocal leaders. Her words echoed the sentiment repeated by teammates across the roster — that this team is embracing the process of building something from the ground up, together.
“Everybody wants to be here,” said center Teaira McCowan, who averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game last season. “Everybody’s excited to buy in. It’s a lot of great energy.”
Arike Ogunbowale, now the franchise’s longest-tenured player, sees a noticeable shift in mentality from previous seasons.
“I’m excited to have people here that want to be here — that want to play, want to be successful, and want to see Dallas become a franchise players want to come to,” she said. “That makes a difference.”
Even for rookies like Madison Scott, the buy-in was immediate.
“This team already feels like home,” she said. “Being around this group just gives me confidence. The vets are so supportive — it makes you want to go harder.”
Paige Bueckers, entering the pros as one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory, noted that the team’s bond goes beyond surface-level chemistry.
“Just losing myself in others,” she said. “The more you care, the more you invest yourself in others, the less you think about yourself and all that you’re going through. … And just staying present. … And just to always have fun.”
Veterans like Myisha Hines-Allen reinforced the importance of vulnerability and open dialogue as part of that cultural foundation.
“I’ve been on teams where we had to figure things out through adversity, and that’s part of what helps build real chemistry,” she said. “I try to hold people accountable — but also have fun, talk, keep us together.”
The Wings’ culture is shaped by players who aren’t afraid to be challenged and want to challenge each other. That gritty, honest, selfless mindset gives this reset more weight than a standard rebuild.
From Top to Bottom: A Complete Organizational Reset
The Dallas Wings’ transformation wasn’t just about adding talent and building alignment from the top down.
After the 2024 season, the organization turned to longtime WNBA head coach and executive Curt Miller to lead a cultural rebuild. Miller’s first significant move was hiring Chris Koclanes as head coach — a former defensive coordinator and development specialist known for his attention to detail and relational coaching style.
Together, Miller and Koclanes didn’t just assemble a new roster — they laid the foundation for how the Wings would practice, communicate, and compete.
The coaching staff was restructured from the ground up. Training camp was designed with intention, beginning each day with mindfulness sessions, defensive principles, and role clarity. Off the court, players describe a different kind of energy: accountability without ego, systems with purpose, and space for vulnerability.
“I love what he’s trying to implement on both offense and defense,” McCowan said of Koclanes. “He’s very attentive to detail, very specific.”
And while this is Koclanes’ first head coaching opportunity, his presence has resonated across the locker room. Miller, who coached Koclanes in previous stops, has ensured the entire operation — from scouting to development to messaging — is aligned around values of connection, defense, and growth.
This isn’t just a retool but a recalibration of the franchise’s operation. For the first time in years, the Wings appear to have clarity at every level.
Leadership at the Top: Coach Chris Koclanes and GM Curt Miller
When the Dallas Wings named Chris Koclanes as head coach in December 2024, the move signaled a cultural reset. A longtime assistant with a reputation for defensive detail, developmental work, and personal connection, Koclanes quickly set the tone for what this version of the Wings would prioritize: structure, communication, and mental well-being.
“Chris has been putting me in positions to go downhill more, stretch the floor, and even start the offense,” said NaLyssa Smith. “I’ll play some five this year too — I’m embracing whatever role they give me.”
But it’s not just what Koclanes is implementing — it’s how. Every day at practice begins with mindfulness or a mental reset. For a group filled with newcomers, expectations, and pressure, that intentional approach is creating buy-in.
“We’re not talking about mental health because it’s May,” Koclanes said. “We’re talking about it because it matters to us. It’s part of our culture of playing positive and poised. It’s about creating a space for players to feel comfortable and giving them tools and resources to take care of themselves.”
The team’s veterans echo that respect.
“I love him,” Teaira McCowan said. “He’s very attention to detail, very specific. I love what he’s trying to implement on both offense and defense.”
“He tells you exactly what he wants from you,” said Tyasha Harris. “And that helps everybody lock in.”
For Koclanes, clarity is a leadership principle. “We talk about playing fast, but we also talk about playing smart,” he said. “Every action has to have purpose.”
General manager Curt Miller, the former Connecticut Sun head coach and 2017 WNBA Coach of the Year, is paired with Koclanes. Hired to lead the Wings’ front office rebuild, Miller has played an instrumental role in shaping the current roster and establishing a shared vision alongside Koclanes.
Together, they’ve constructed a team that is younger, longer, and built with intent. Their alignment on culture, defense, communication, and accountability is already showing in how players describe the day-to-day tone.
“He’s really clear, and I think we all appreciate that,” said DiJonai Carrington. “You know what he wants from you. There’s no guessing.”
From rookies to veterans, that consistency has created a smoother onboarding process for a franchise undergoing one of the league’s most comprehensive transformations.
Dallas Wings Setting a Defensive Standard: Culture and Identity
If there’s one non-negotiable for the 2025 Dallas Wings, it’s defense. Chris Koclanes didn’t just inherit a team — he inherited a statistical profile that showed a bottom-tier defense in nearly every category last season. From the start of camp, he’s been blunt: that won’t fly anymore.
“Defense isn’t optional here,” Koclanes said. “It’s our anchor, and our buy-in on that end is what will separate us.”
That message has landed — and been amplified — by veterans who know how to set a tone. DiJonai Carrington, who played under Koclanes in Connecticut, immediately stepped into a leadership role on that end of the floor.
“My goal is to be the head of our defense,” she said. “Chris coached me in Connecticut and was the defensive guru. I want everyone to level up on that side of the ball. We’re trying to completely flip the script.”
Carrington isn’t just vocal — she’s relentless, and it’s contagious.
“DiJonai is the kind of teammate that brings the energy every single day,” said rookie guard JJ Quinerly. “She sets a tone — when she’s defending like that, you don’t want to be the one who doesn’t bring it.”
From bigs to guards, the full roster absorbs the defensive emphasis. Teaira McCowan, who led the team in rebounding and served as an interior presence last season, said she’s locked in on elevating her paint impact.
“Defense is what I do,” McCowan said. “But I want to step it up even more. I want to be someone opponents have to reckon with in the paint.”
For Maddy Siegrist, it’s not about leading the box score — it’s about doing the dirty work.
“Everybody’s focused on defense, and that’s been a big point from the start,” she said. “I’m trying to be that person who dives on the floor, boxes out, and makes the hustle plays that don’t always show up.”
Tyasha Harris, tasked with organizing the second unit, also takes pride in keeping the unit stable defensively.
“I’ve been reading the game better and making sure we don’t drop off,” Harris said. “That’s what a second unit has to do — maintain the defensive energy.”
Kaila Charles, another experienced voice in the locker room, sees defense as her personal responsibility.
“I know my job is to defend, talk, and compete,” she said. “That’s how I lead. We have so many pieces, and if we hold each other accountable on defense, we’ll have a chance every night.”
That accountability is at the heart of what the Wings are building — and for a team with so many new faces, it’s quickly become the glue.
“We’re going to talk things out in huddles, in practice, in the locker room,” said Myisha Hines-Allen. “That’s part of what makes a team go from average to great.”
Paige Bueckers: Setting the Tone Early
In a training camp full of fresh faces, no name drew more attention than No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers. The UConn legend and NCAA champion entered the WNBA with lofty expectations — and she’s already proving she belongs.
“Even though I’m a rookie, I want to use my voice,” Bueckers said. “I want to gain everyone’s respect — not just for what I say, but how I carry myself every day.”
Bueckers’ vocal leadership has been matched by her relentless pace in drills and her willingness to embrace every layer of the transition. She hasn’t shied away from the physicality of the league. If anything, she’s leaned into it.
“I’ve always been more finesse,” she admitted. “But here, the physicality is different. You have to embrace contact. You have to adjust.”
Bueckers is adjusting on and off the court, embracing recovery work, staying after practice for additional reps, and participating fully in the team’s mental preparation programs. One of her key personal priorities is mental health.
“Mental health is extremely important,” she said. “The game is more mental than physical. I work with a sports psychologist. The biggest thing I’ve learned? Run my own race. Comparison is the thief of joy.”
That level of intentionality—from her leadership to her focus on wellness—has already had an impact on teammates. Coaches and players have noted her intensity, poise, and ability to balance humility with command. Teaira McCowan, the team’s defensive anchor, has already developed chemistry with her.
“She’s already trying to get in my pocket,” McCowan joked. “If you see me shooting everything in the paint, it’s because Paige isn’t getting any of my assist bonuses!”
But Bueckers’ mindset isn’t about stats but about improving others.
“I want to invest in my teammates,” she said. “The more you focus on helping others, the less pressure you put on yourself. I just want to have fun and stay present.”
That selflessness is at the center of her leadership style. “At UConn, I was the leader. That doesn’t change here,” Bueckers said. “I want to set the tone with how I play and how I carry myself.”
She knows it won’t be easy. The WNBA is unforgiving, and every rookie has a learning curve. But in a locker room full of players trying to build something from the ground up, Bueckers isn’t just fitting in — she’s helping shape the foundation.
Arike Ogunbowale: The Standard Bearer
In a sea of new faces, Arike Ogunbowale stands as the constant. Entering her seventh WNBA season, the All-Star guard has seen the Wings through multiple regimes, several roster overhauls, and a wide range of expectations. But for all the changes around her, Ogunbowale remains the franchise’s steadying presence — and its tone-setter.
“It’s an exciting time,” she said. “We’re all starting new, all having new goals, new intentions for this city and this organization.”
Ogunbowale led the Wings in scoring (22.2 points per game), assists (5.1), and steals (2.1) during the 2024 season, continuing her run as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players. But in 2025, she isn’t just expected to produce but to lead.
“I pretty much know my game now,” she said. “It’s just time to polish it and be more consistent and effective.”
That process has less to do with changing her identity and more to do with sharpening it. She’s aware of how her voice and presence carry weight with this younger roster, and she’s leaning into that responsibility in a new way this year — not just as a scorer, but as an example of how to work, reset, and stay focused.
“There’s a lot of change every year,” she said. “The only thing that stays consistent is my faith and my morals. That’s what keeps me grounded.”
However, the environment around her has changed, and Ogunbowale has been among the first to notice the difference in tone, effort, and shared vision.
“I’m excited to have people here that want to be here — that want to play, want to be successful, and want to see Dallas become a franchise players want to come to,” she said. “That makes a difference.”
Her buy-in isn’t just rhetorical. Coaches have praised her attention to detail during training camp, and teammates have pointed to her consistency as a model for how to show up every day. When players talk about the “standard” being raised, they don’t just mean system changes — they mean how Ogunbowale shows up, again and again, and demands that others do the same.
She’s not only embracing the new direction — she’s anchoring it.
DiJonai Carrington: Energy, Identity, and Two-Way Grit
No player on the Dallas Wings’ roster may embody the team’s new identity more than DiJonai Carrington. A relentless competitor with a deep defensive pedigree, Carrington brings both edge and experience — and she’s been vocal about what she expects to bring to this next chapter.
“My goal is to be the head of our defense,” Carrington said. “Chris coached me in Connecticut and was the defensive guru. I want everyone to level up on that side of the ball. We’re trying to completely flip the script.”
Her connection with head coach Chris Koclanes goes beyond familiarity—it’s built on trust, mutual intensity, and shared purpose. Koclanes was Carrington’s position coach with the Sun, and she credits him with sharpening her defensive discipline and competitive mindset. Now reunited in Dallas, she’s helping set the tone for the team’s defensive overhaul from Day 1.
“She sets a tone,” said rookie guard JJ Quinerly. “When she’s defending like that, you don’t want to be the one who doesn’t bring it.”
Carrington’s presence has also helped rookies understand what elite-level effort looks like. Her voice is constant in drills, her motor unmatched, and her willingness to take on the toughest assignments — from guarding stars to contesting every rep in practice — has made an impression on the coaching staff and her peers.
But Carrington’s identity isn’t just tied to grit. She’s a culture driver who refuses to be boxed into any single definition.
“People used to act like you had to choose — be a competitor or embrace your femininity,” she said. “But I like to show you can do both. I’ll wear heels with sweats. I’m always going to show up as myself.”
The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year is coming off a season averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, but she’s also expanding her role on the floor. In Connecticut, Carrington was primarily used off the catch, a corner threat, and a defensive specialist. But with the Wings, she’s been empowered to handle the ball more, initiate offense, and make plays downhill.
“I’ll be playing more off the bounce this year,” she said. “In Connecticut, I was more off the catch — corner threes and defending. But here, I’ve been asked to do more — create, defend, rebound, lead.”
That evolution has unlocked a different version of her game, one that balances power and pace, intensity and control. And perhaps most importantly, she’s bringing the confidence to elevate those around her.
“She brings this fire, this swagger,” said Madison Scott. “It gets everyone going.”
Carrington doesn’t just want to win games — she wants to reshape the identity of the team she now leads from the front.
Maddy Siegrist: Hustle, Defense, and Steady Progress
As the longest-tenured wing player on the Dallas Wings, Maddy Siegrist has carved out a reputation built not on flash, but on toughness, effort, and a willingness to do the things few notice — but everyone values. She’s coming off a career year, averaging 9.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, but is seeking to grow further in her on-court impact and provide a greater leadership presence. There is a high degree of confidence after thriving in Athletes Unlimited during the offseason.
“AU was great for me this year just to be able to be in a lot of different positions,” she said. “Obviously to win it was a goal of mine, but it just makes me feel confident coming into a season and just trying to build off of that.”
She continued to expand her versatility throughout the offseason, taking on different roles at Athletes Unlimited and carrying that flexibility into training camp with the Wings.
“Literally, like one through five — you’re guarding Izzy Harrison, and then the next play you’re bringing the ball up,” she said. “Just really being able to be versatile and be comfortable in a lot of different roles.”
Siegrist has spent time at both small forward and power forward in camp, thriving in Chris Koclanes’ movement offense and embracing spacing concepts similar to what she played at Villanova.
“I love the cuts, I love the read and react,” Siegrist said. “I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
Shooting has also been a point of focus in Siegrist’s offseason training. For an offense that needs to space the floor for Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, Siegrist knows that she must shoot better than the 27.0% from deep she produced last season, while taking a higher volume of shots.
“Definitely focused a lot on three-point shooting and just being more consistent, confident, knocking that down,” she said. “That’ll be a key piece for us this year.”
Her off-court growth has paralleled her on-court development. Now entering her third WNBA season, Siegrist is taking more ownership of team huddles and leadership moments.
“Last year I really took it upon myself to bring the team in for huddles,” she said. “Little things like that I think do make a difference.”
Looking back at her journey, Siegrist remains grounded.
“When I got to Villanova, I didn’t think I was going to get drafted third,” she said. “So just trying to remind myself even with this journey, there’s so much more ahead that I don’t know about. Just trying to be present in the moment.”
Rookies Embrace the Moment: JJ Quinerly, Aziaha James, and Madison Scott
The Dallas Wings didn’t just draft talent — they drafted energy, personality, and an immediate competitive edge. Rookie guards JJ Quinerly (No. 27), Aziaha James (No. 12), and forward Madison Scott (No. 14) have each wasted no time making a strong impression in training camp. And while their styles differ, all three have embraced the moment with humility and intensity.
“Everybody has something to prove in their own way,” said Quinerly, who played both guard spots at West Virginia and is transitioning back into a primary ball-handler role with Dallas. “This team is full of people with a chip on their shoulder.”
“I have the ability to score, but my greatest asset is getting in the paint, kicking out, and playing defense — which I love,” she added.
Quinerly’s defensive mindset has made her a favorite of the coaching staff, and her fearlessness in scrimmages has earned her respect from veterans. Her impact was impressive for the Mountaineers in her final campaign, as she averaged 20.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.0 steals.
“They tell me to just be yourself,” she said. “That helps a lot, especially in this kind of environment.”
Aziaha James, a microwave scorer from NC State, has been praised for her consistent energy and drive to absorb information quickly. In her final college season, she averaged 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
“Every day I come in ready to compete,” James said. “I’ve been talking with the vets, asking questions, trying to soak everything up.”
While the WNBA’s speed and physicality can challenge rookies, James has embraced that learning curve.
“Every drill, every rep, I’m just trying to show I belong here,” she said. “The pace is different, but I love the challenge.”
Madison Scott has emerged as one of the team’s most versatile and upbeat voices — a player whose energy is matched by her eagerness to learn and contribute in any way. While focusing on impacting the game on the margins, she still averaged 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists at Ole Miss last season.
“I’m excited to be here and to get to work,” she said. “This team already feels like home.”
Scott has spent time defending multiple positions in practice. He has shown an ability to rebound and finish through contact — traits that align perfectly with the Wings’ new defensive-minded identity.
“Being around this group just gives me confidence,” she said. “The vets are so supportive — it makes you want to go harder.”
The shared mentality between the Wings’ rookies has already formed a bond visible on the floor and in the locker room. They push each other, learn from each other, and lean on one another — but they’re also holding their own among more experienced pros.
“They’re not sitting in the background,” said DiJonai Carrington. “They’re on the court early, asking questions, competing hard. That says a lot.”
And that, more than anything, defines this rookie class: no fear of the moment, and a deep desire to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Tyasha Harris: Veteran Presence and Sixth Woman Mindset
Tyasha Harris may not be the loudest player in the gym, but her presence resonates clearly across the Dallas Wings’ locker room. In her fifth WNBA season and second stint with the franchise, Harris has emerged as one of the group’s most reliable stabilizers, with a poised floor general and a calming voice, especially for the Wings’ second unit.
“I want to be Sixth Woman of the Year,” Harris said. “I’ve been working on my shot, reading the game, and leading the second unit. I feel really comfortable in this role.”
Harris has taken ownership of that role from the outset of training camp. Her command is evident whether she’s scoring or playmaking, settling a young group in the half court, or getting players into their defensive shell responsibilities. Coaches have praised her ability to balance communication and execution, and her teammates routinely mention her name when asked who’s been setting the tone behind the scenes.
“She tells you exactly what you need to hear,” said JJ Quinerly. “I’ll mess up a coverage or be late on a switch, and she’s like, ‘You’re good — next play, let’s fix it.’ That goes a long way.”
Coming off a career year averaging 10.5 points and 3.0 assists, Harris adopts an approach that blends calm and energy. She wants to uplift teammates but also knows what it means to carry the weight of expectations in the WNBA. That’s why she’s leaned into not just playing her role, but reinforcing the collective identity that Chris Koclanes and Curt Miller are trying to build.
“I just try to come in with a smile, be grateful for the opportunity to play, and carry that energy down to the rookies,” she said. “If we’re going to be about culture and connection, it can’t just be talk — it has to be how we show up every day.”
Her presence has helped rookies like Aziaha James and Madison Scott adjust to the pro level, and her ability to steady the group when things get chaotic has made her invaluable, particularly during scrimmage stretches where younger lineups can drift.
Harris may not always lead in minutes or shot attempts, but her influence is undeniable — and she’s aiming to make her best professional season her most complete.
Teaira McCowan: Versatility, Voice, and Paint Protection
At 6-foot-7, Teaira McCowan has arrived at training camp leaner, quicker, and more vocal than ever. She embraces not just her role as a defensive anchor in Dallas but also as a leader in the Wings’ locker room and a more versatile offensive weapon.
“I’ve been working on my outside shot, catching off the block, facilitating from the high post,” McCowan said. “That’s part of our offense now.”
The shift mirrors the team’s broader evolution under Chris Koclanes — a system emphasizing spacing, movement, and decision-making. McCowan, who averaged 13.4 points and 9.1 rebounds last season, has responded with a stronger commitment to mobility, conditioning, and communication.
“Defense is what I do,” she said. “But I want to step it up even more. I want to be someone opponents have to reckon with in the paint.”
Koclanes has challenged McCowan to lead not just through blocks and boards, but through voice — calling out rotations, anchoring the defensive shell, and guiding younger players through coverages in real time. By all accounts, she’s embraced that challenge with a sense of ownership.
However, McCowan has already felt a connection with Bueckers offensively, who tends to play an unselfish style operating in pick-and-roll.
“She’s already trying to get in my pocket,” McCowan joked about her growing on-court chemistry with Paige Bueckers. “If you see me shooting everything in the paint, it’s because Paige isn’t getting any of my assist bonuses!”
But behind the humor is serious intent. McCowan knows she sets the tone defensively and amplifies her impact when she’s fully engaged on both ends. With the Wings doubling down on defensive accountability and paint control, she isn’t just the tallest player on the floor — she’s the foundation of their interior identity. And with expanded offensive responsibilities and growing chemistry with the team’s guards, she may be poised for her most complete season yet.
NaLyssa Smith: Leadership in Motion
NaLyssa Smith didn’t arrive in Dallas quietly. Since training camp began, the Texas native has been one of the Wings’ most vocal leaders — on the court, in film sessions, and in huddles. And she’s doing it while stepping into the most versatile role of her WNBA career.
“Chris has been putting me in positions to go downhill more, stretch the floor, and even start the offense,” Smith said. “I’ll play some five this year too — I’m embracing whatever role they give me.”
It’s a dramatic shift from her previous seasons, when she was primarily used as a traditional four, crashing the glass, finishing around the basket, and occasionally stepping out for mid-range looks. In Koclanes’ system, Smith is trusted to initiate plays, run the floor as a trailer, and defend multiple positions. She’s looking to build on her season that featured averages of 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds.
“It’s a different look for me,” she said. “I’m used to being in the post, but now I’m handling more, playing with pace, and it’s helping my confidence grow.”
Smith has also spent time at small-ball center throughout training camp. She sees significant potential in that lineup combination, adding versatility and defensive matchup flexibility.
“That’s the plan,” she said. “I mean, they say I’m gonna be in the five a little bit for a little bit. So just wherever they throw me, still trying to embrace that role.”
Smith has always been an explosive athlete, but in Dallas, she’s sharpening her reads and taking on more responsibility in helping the Wings manage their tempo. She’s also leaned into a new identity—that of a vocal connector. Whether she’s pulling rookies aside during breaks or leading group stretches before practice, her fingerprints are all over the team’s daily rhythm.
“If anyone needs advice or direction on the court, I want to be someone they can come to,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t call myself a vet yet — but I like the sound of it.”
The locker room has taken notice. Teammates have repeatedly pointed to Smith’s intensity in practice, her voice in defensive rotations, and her willingness to be coached hard while pushing others.
Smith is also fueled by something personal: home. Playing in her home state of Texas, she’s found extra motivation from having her family nearby and being rooted in a familiar community.
“There’s nothing like Texas,” she said. “My family’s going to be able to come to games — that gives me a huge push.”
Smith isn’t just part of the structure for a team looking to reset its foundation — she’s helping pour the concrete. Between her vocal leadership, growing playmaking ability, and ability to defend across multiple matchups, she’s positioning herself in Dallas’ long-term vision.
Myisha Hines-Allen: Championship Mentality and Vocal Accountability
Myisha Hines-Allen knows what it takes to compete deep into a WNBA season. A key contributor to the Washington Mystics’ 2019 championship team and a seasoned veteran with over 200 career games played, Hines-Allen brings more than just experience to the Dallas Wings — she brings a championship mentality rooted in urgency, connection, and vocal accountability.
“I’ve been on teams where we had to figure things out through adversity, and that’s part of what helps build real chemistry,” Hines-Allen said. “I try to hold people accountable — but also have fun, talk, keep us together.”
That balance between honesty and lightness has made her an early presence in huddles, film sessions, and on the practice court. She doesn’t wait to be asked for input. Whether it’s correcting a coverage, rallying the bench unit, or reinforcing energy standards, Hines-Allen leads by presence.
Her voice has filled a gap for a young team finding its collective rhythm. She’s not afraid to challenge teammates in the moment, but she does so purposefully.
“We’re going to talk things out in huddles, in practice, in the locker room,” she said. “That’s part of what makes a team go from average to great.”
Hines-Allen has taken particular interest in the Wings’ younger frontcourt players — stepping into drills with Maddy Siegrist and Madison Scott, helping them understand positional angles and footwork in help-side defense. She’s also been one of the loudest advocates on the sidelines during scrimmages, frequently hyping up defensive stops and encouraging players to stay aggressive.
One of her biggest points of emphasis has been the importance of setting strong, intentional screens — something she sees as essential for opening up the Wings’ offense.
“You’ve got to want to set a screen,” Hines-Allen said. “Don’t just run into the defender — set your feet, hold it, and get your teammate open. That’s how you create good shots and build trust.”
Her voice isn’t just talk — it’s earned. Known as one of the league’s toughest matchups when healthy, Hines-Allen brings physicality, rebounding, and the ability to guard both forwards and small-ball centers. But her communication — the clarity of what’s expected — may be her most valuable contribution early in the season.
“I’m not here to just blend in,” she said. “I want to help us find who we are and keep raising that standard.”
For a team built on versatility and emotional investment, Hines-Allen offers both. She’s seen what works — and she’s determined to help the Wings apply those lessons to a new era.
Supporting Veterans: Kaila Charles, Joyner Holmes, and the Energy Behind the Edges
While stars and rookies often draw headlines, the Dallas Wings’ culture shift is also being powered by veterans who know how to operate in the margins — players like Kaila Charles and Joyner Holmes, who bring toughness, flexibility, and a deep understanding of what it means to support winning basketball.
Entering her fifth WNBA season, Kaila Charles has quickly emerged as one of the team’s most dependable voices on defense. Known for her tenacity and communication, Charles has leaned into her role as a tone-setter in drills and scrimmages.
“I know my job is to defend, talk, and compete,” Charles said. “That’s how I lead. We have so many pieces, and if we hold each other accountable on defense, we’ll have a chance every night.”
Charles has been trusted to guard multiple positions in camp — from quick point guards to powerful wings — and her ability to fight through screens and anchor possessions without needing the ball has made her a valuable piece of Dallas’ new defensive identity.
Meanwhile, Joyner Holmes has quietly earned respect for her work ethic, rebounding, and willingness to adapt. A Texas alum and 6-foot-3 forward, Holmes brings size and activity to the Wings’ second unit and has been instrumental in adding physicality to practices.
Holmes’ game doesn’t rely on volume touches — she sets solid screens, fights for second-chance opportunities, and has shown an ability to guard the post and perimeter depending on matchups. Her versatility has made her a plug-and-play option for Chris Koclanes during different lineup experiments, and her commitment to staying ready has resonated with teammates.
Final Dallas Wings Outlook: Reset, Rebuild, and Relentless Energy
The 2025 Dallas Wings are not promising a shortcut to success, but they’re promising to do the work.
With a roster built on hungry rookies, accountable veterans, and leadership that values connection as much as execution, the Wings are attempting something bigger than a simple bounce-back year. They’re laying the groundwork for what they hope becomes a long-term identity built on defense, communication, and relentless effort.
“Yeah, I think we’re all learning. … It just makes you appreciate being around each other,” Bueckers said. “We’re building the foundation for what we look like this year and upcoming years. So it’s really exciting to be a part of a lot of it.”
That shared purpose is evident everywhere — from Arike Ogunbowale setting the tone with her consistency, to Tyasha Harris grounding the second unit, to rookies like JJ Quinerly diving into drills before the whistle.
“There’s a lot of great energy,” Teaira McCowan said. “Everybody wants to be here. Everybody’s excited to buy in.”
The system, installed by head coach Chris Koclanes with full alignment from GM Curt Miller, reinforces that mindset. Defense is the foundation. Connection is the expectation. And vulnerability is welcomed, not punished. This team knows it’s not the favorite. It knows there will be mistakes. But it also knows that effort, honesty, and alignment — already shown in training camp — are the hallmarks of every great program.
“I’ve been extremely blessed and fortunate to be in great situations in high school and in college,” Bueckers said. “It’s different in the W. You don’t see teams going undefeated. You don’t see a lot of single-loss seasons… You never want to get used to losing, but you want to get used to learning from games.”
As Myisha Hines-Allen put it: “We’re going to talk things out. We’re going to challenge each other. That’s part of what makes a team go from average to great.”
What’s Next?
The Wings are far from finished. But they’re not pretending to be. What they are, finally, is connected. And for a franchise that has long searched for stability, that alone is the best start they could ask for.
The next test will come quickly: Dallas closes its preseason on May 10 against Toyota Antelopes, a team in the upper W-League Premier. It’ll be a unique international challenge and a final chance for the Wings to test their chemistry before the regular season begins.
With just a few days to recalibrate, the Wings will tip off their 2025 campaign on May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx, one of the league’s most experienced and disciplined teams. The margin for error will be small, but so will the gap between where the Wings are and where they believe they can go.
More Dallas Wings Articles
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- Tyasha Harris Fully Practices as Dallas Wings Build Foundation Before Season
- Dallas Wings Regroup at Practice After Preseason Loss Against Las Vegas Aces
- Dallas Wings Makes First Roster Cuts Before Upcoming Deadline
- Paige Bueckers Makes WNBA Debut as Wings Fall to Aces in Preseason Opener: “Super Surreal”
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