Dallas Wings Training Camp Notebook: Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and a New Era Take Shape
With three practices complete and an off day ahead, the Wings are forming a defensive identity, building chemistry, and embracing competition across the roster.
The Dallas Wings completed three straight days of training camp under first-year head coach Chris Koclanes, closing Tuesday’s session with a clear theme: defense, intensity, and growth through challenge.
The team paused on Wednesday before resuming practice ahead of Friday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Aces at Notre Dame — a homecoming for Arike Ogunbowale, but also a chance for the team to bond further in a game setting.
With a new coaching staff, five rookies, and the debut of No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers, the Wings have leaned into the hard work of building a team identity.
Here’s a full breakdown of what’s taken place across Days 1 through 3 at College Park Center.
Paige Bueckers Already a Central Piece
Bueckers has quickly emerged as a focal point for the Wings. From her poise in scrimmages to her post-practice solo and group shooting workouts, the former UConn star has been both vocal and impactful.
"I'm trying to come in and earn everybody’s respect through passion, heart, communication, and building that chemistry on and off the court," Bueckers said. "Just connecting with everybody."
During early 5-on-5 sessions, Bueckers handled a mix of responsibilities: bringing the ball up, running halfcourt sets, and acting as a screener in actions that leveraged her gravity to free up teammates. She's frequently paired with Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington on the perimeter, often serving as both facilitator and floor spacer.
Koclanes praised Bueckers’ adaptability and understanding of the game, along with the unselfishness required to give herself up as a screener.
“You can put her anywhere,” Koclanes said. “As a coach, that just makes your life easier. She's going to get other people open looks, and she knows that, and she's willing to do that.”
Carrington praised Bueckers’ ability to pick things up quickly, suggesting she’s ahead of schedule for being a rookie stepping into the WNBA.
"She’s a student of the game. Her IQ is super high. You don’t have to tell her things multiple times. She’s quick — they’ll draw something up, and she can translate it from the board to the court right away," Carrington said. "She thinks I can't guard her."
Tuesday’s Session Turns Up the Defensive Intensity
Tuesday’s session was entirely defense-driven. The team started with a detailed film review of Day 2 and then implemented corrections in real-time on the court.
“It’s all about establishing our defensive identity,” Koclanes said. “Very much a defensive-focused practice. I love how we responded. I thought the practice guys yesterday had their way with us, so we talked about it, we watched the film, and then we came out here with a different attention to detail.”
The Wings drilled ball pressure, backside help, communication, and rotations. The team feels confident in its ability to apply ball pressure due to the various on-ball defenders.
“It starts with our ability to pressure the ball,” Koclanes explained. “And then once we have that, it’s the four people off the ball — how we’re all connected and loaded up to the ball and to the action that the offense is trying to accomplish. I want us to force offenses to be a little bit uncomfortable, find the second and third option, and see if we can generate some offense from our defense.”
One of the key tone-setters in that area is Carrington, whose defensive instincts and physicality have stood out early in camp.
“Totally love [DeJonai Carrington’s] ability to guard multiple positions, and she for sure will be attacking ball handlers and getting into the ball early,” Koclanes explained. “She just has a presence and an instinct that you can’t teach, and she can really, really assault handlers in a good way for us.”
Koclanes added that the post players have a pivotal voice, serving as the instrumental communicators of the Wings’ defensive system.
“Your posts are your quarterbacks of your defense,” he said. “They a lot of times see the whole floor and can really help bring our guard organization. Give them confidence when they’re up guarding the ball and don’t really know what’s behind it.”
Myisha Hines-Allen, Carrington Take Command
Veteran forward Myisha Hines-Allen has played a vocal role, especially during teaching moments and defensive sequences. She knows exactly what her role is.
“That’s what they brought me here to do: facilitate, get open shots for my teammates, set great screens so they can get open,” Hines-Allen said. “I don't have to score the ball, but it’s about me being aggressive and taking my open shots, too. Being aggressive, getting my teammates open, setting great screens, getting on the boards, rebounding, and defending the best player on the other team — most likely the four. Just taking pride in that challenge every night.”
Carrington has been a steady source of energy and accountability. After practice on Day 3, she matched up with NaLyssa Smith in a fun 1-on-1 game after practice and consistently raised the level of effort.
“Everyone’s skilled — that’s not the problem — but I want people to put in effort,” she said. “Second, third, fourth efforts. If you turn it over, get back. Don’t wait for the call, don’t pout — just get back and keep playing.”
Ogunbowale-Bueckers Chemistry a Bright Spot
One of the major storylines early in camp has been the on-court partnership between Bueckers and Ogunbowale. The duo has quickly developed synergy as ballhandlers, shot creators, and off-ball movers.
“It’s been two good days,” Ogunbowale said. “We’ve been playing well together. I think there’s been a lot of good combinations — her and myself, her and other people, me and other people. So it’s been good.”
Koclanes said their shared respect and feel for the game is what makes the pairing effective.
“I’ve been impressed by just the amount of respect they have for each other and how intentional they’ve both been about getting each other involved,” he said. “It’s been impressive. I have no worries about the two of them coexisting.”
Ogunbowale also believes the talent and depth of this year’s group sets it apart.
“I don't even really think this team compares too much because we have a lot of skill on this team,” she said. “So I think it's gonna be a lot different. It's gonna be really fun.”
Rookies Embracing the Challenge
Bueckers may be the headline name, but she’s not alone in working through a steep learning curve. Fellow rookie Aziaha James has also drawn praise for her approach and eagerness to grow.
“My goals are just to find my vet, get under their wing, and learn everything I can about this new level,” James said. “I want to take control where I can, be myself, and keep growing.”
James credited Ogunbowale with offering key advice as she adjusts to the WNBA.
“Yeah — just to be myself. Stay true to myself,” James said. “She told me that I got here for a reason, so just continue to be me and keep fighting.”
Bueckers said the physicality of the league was her first real wake-up call, or as many like to refer to, a “welcome to the W” moment.
“Honestly, screens. I got hit by one — that would be the first, like, wow, here is different,” she said. “And obviously the floor is a little different because of three seconds in the lane — offensive three in the lane — so that's a little bit different. And then the pace and obviously the physicality, stuff like that.”
Team Bonding Already Taking Root
Even off the floor, players say the connection has been fast and natural. Carrington said that the chemistry isn’t forced — it’s forming naturally. The team also attended a concert featuring Kendrick Lamar and SZA at AT&T Stadium together.
“I think we’re all just trying to figure it out,” Carrington explained. “But I don’t think we’re having any trouble building chemistry. We’ve already hung out multiple times, and we’ve only been here a few days.”
Ogunbowale added: “We all like each other’s vibes. A lot of hoopers — so I’m just excited for it.”
Hines-Allen echoed that sentiment, saying the mistakes on the court are helping the group build stronger bonds.
“I love the energy so far in the gym,” she said. “A lot of mistakes, but that’s what comes with being a new team — first time playing with a lot of these girls. In my opinion, that’s what makes basketball fun — the mistakes. Then we get to talk it through and just grow closer from that.”
Coaching Vision and Leadership
From Day 1, Koclanes has walked the line between structure and flexibility. He wants players to be guided — but not boxed in.
“I think my awareness is one of my strengths,” he said. “It's the balance of having the humility to know that I don't know everything, and I can't do this alone. I've surrounded myself with really good people. There's a trust in me that I'm going to do everything I can to prepare and put our players in the best position to succeed. I want to earn their respect, empower them, and ultimately give them the freedom to be who they are.”
The Wings’ offensive system echoes that mindset, focusing on a free-flowing style that leverages read-and-act principles instead of micro-managing with sets. With plenty of talent capable of attacking off the dribble, Koclanes believes that, in the long term, this is a more challenging style for opponents to contain.
“We have lots of versatility within our roster and then lots of people that can put the ball in the hoop,” Koclanes said. “So the goal is to give them enough structure and enough direction to where we can help them a little bit, get into certain areas or get certain people into an action and then allow them to just go play basketball. It’s a little sloppy in stretches here early, but you’ve got to let them play through it and keep encouraging them and give them confidence.”
Bueckers has enjoyed playing in Koclanes’ system.
"It's free-flowing,” Bueckers said. “He gives you concepts, ideas, foundational pieces — not really a ton of set plays to where you have to do this, and then there's no right or wrong. It's just read and react."
He said the early stages of camp are about navigating the complexity and mental load.
“We talked a lot about the mental approach to this because it could be overwhelming,” Koclanes said. “There's a lot being thrown at them — different terminology, different language. So just encouraging them to apply themselves, lean into the discomfort and frustration, and do as much as they can. And at the same time, let go and just play. Don’t be afraid to go make mistakes.”
Koclanes said the team has already shown growth in applying feedback.
“I was encouraged by the focus, the intensity in the film room, and then the ability for it to translate onto the court,” he said. “It was our first opportunity to watch from Day 1 and learn, and then see how quickly we can make the investment.”
That initial session left a strong impression, showing potential for a group that is willing to work through challenges and learn.
“Just really good energy in the gym, everyone talking, touching,” he said. “We threw a lot at them, challenged them, long days early. I'm just really proud of how they responded and just stayed focused throughout that entire practice.”
Next Stop: South Bend
The Wings will play their first preseason game Friday at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion — a meaningful setting for Ogunbowale, who played four seasons for the Irish and hit two of the most iconic shots in NCAA Tournament history at that venue.
“Just being back at home — I mean, that’s the place I grew up,” she said. “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.”
Bueckers said she hopes more preseason games can be staged at players' college campuses.
“Yeah, I think it’s really cool and a great idea,” Bueckers said. “I think it should be incorporated even more. Just to start here, it’s a great start. I would love to play a game at Gampel and go back to UConn. I think it’s an amazing idea. Just seeing the support of women’s basketball grow — at the college level and at the WNBA level — it'll be a great turnout wherever we go.”
She added, “It just provides another opportunity to be connected. Road trips in themselves are very fun — bonding on the plane, going out to eat, just being together in that road environment. So yeah, it provides another opportunity.”
What’s Next
Wednesday brings the team’s first off day since camp began. But the early foundation has been laid — Bueckers is leading, veterans are responding, and the Wings are beginning to reflect the balanced identity Koclanes wants.
“It’s an exciting scene to be a part of,” Bueckers said.