Wings Sharpen Chemistry in Scrimmage Ahead of Aces Matchup at Notre Dame: “We’ve Got a Good Little Thing Going”

The Dallas Wings opened the gym to the media on Thursday as they held their most competitive practice of training camp yet.

With a preseason game against the Las Vegas Aces set for Friday night at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion, the Wings focused on developing chemistry, experimenting with lineups, and evaluating the progress of a rookie-heavy roster.

Here is a look at where the Wings stand ahead of Friday’s game.

Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale Building a Backcourt Foundation

Through the first week of camp, head coach Chris Koclanes has relied on No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers to run the offense. That’s allowed Arike Ogunbowale to return to her more natural off-ball role—a shift she says is working well early on.

“I’ve always been more of an off-ball type of player, so she’s a great on-ball,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And, you know, when I take it down, she goes off the ball. So it’s definitely—we have a good little thing going right now, and I think it’s gonna be really good this season.”

Bueckers, who is nearing a week of practicing with the Wings, said she’s adjusting quickly.

“It’s getting better every single day,” Bueckers said. “I’m trying to build off the day before. Obviously, it’s an adjustment—getting to know a new offense, getting to know new players to play with, the system—and just trying to grow and get better every single day.”

Off the court, Bueckers is still settling in after moving from Connecticut.

“I love Dallas already,” she said. “My moving truck from Connecticut came yesterday, so I’ve been still—I’m still moving every single day, but it’s been fun. I love where I live. I love being here with the team, in a new environment with new people, and continuing to get better and keep growing. So it’s been a great first week.”

Bueckers added that the bond with teammates is already taking shape.

“We hang out, we go grab food together,” Bueckers said. “We already are building a great chemistry. We’re already well connected with each other. It’s obviously gonna grow through life, some practice, and road trips like this. So yeah, our chemistry is building every single day. And so that’s really a great part too.”

Ogunbowale echoed that development.

“We’re building it each day,” she said. “I think by May 16th we’ll be good to go, but we’re building it each day, for sure.”

Dallas Wings Testing Lineups, Rookies Make Early Impact

The Wings continued to explore different looks on Thursday. DiJonai Carrington again played the three alongside Bueckers and Ogunbowale, giving the Wings three creators on the floor while allowing her on-ball defense to be a tone setter. Her ability to make plays off the dribble has taken pressure off the backcourt.

While Teaira McCowan remains the top traditional center, NaLyssa Smith logged time at both the four and five, as did Myisha Hines-Allen. The team has leaned into frontcourt versatility throughout camp. Maddy Siegrist, who spent much of last season rotating between roles, is drawing consistent praise for her two-way versatility.

“Maddie had a really good day today,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “You know, she’s just versatile. Stretches three to four. I thought you saw today a little bit of her athleticism, being able to put pressure on post feet and get down some lane lines that way.”

The Wings’ five-player rookie class—Bueckers, Aziaha James, Madison Scott, JJ Quinerly, and Aaronette Vonleh—has made a strong impression in the early going.

“I’m very encouraged,” Koclanes said. “Our rookies haven’t really felt like rookies. They’ve had some rookie moments, but just really encouraged at how fluid the first four days have been. They’re picking things up quick, they’re applying, and they’re competing like crazy.”

Koclanes praised Paige Bueckers for her poise and natural fit within the team’s system so far.

“I just admire Paige’s ability to take everything in stride. Her IQ is fantastic.” Koclanes said. “She hasn’t missed a step here at all.”

Aziaha James’ scoring instincts and ability to create downhill pressure has stood out to the Wings’ coaching staff.

“Aziaha has been extremely efficient through the first four days of practice,” Koclanes said. “She finds a way to put the ball in the hoop. It’s really tough to keep her out of the lane.”

For Madison Scott, Koclanes pointed to her length and defensive impact across multiple positions.

“Madison is long and instinctive,” Koclanes said. “She’s been disruptive defensively and is making strides each day.”

JJ Quinerly’s ability to adapt to both guard spots impressed the Wings’ coaching staff early.

“With JJ—putting her on the ball a lot, asking her to be a point guard—she’s responded great. And then we put her off the ball some today, and she’s just dynamic. It’s hard to really keep her in. She puts a lot of pressure on the paint.”

Koclanes described Aaronette Vonleh as a steady, underrated presence who has quickly earned trust in the post.

“Netty has been a huge—not surprise, I mean, we were excited that she was even there when we drafted her—but I think she’s very underrated,” Koclanes said. “And she’s been an incredible matchup for Tee and is just really smart and always in the right spots. And so it’s gonna clean up lots of people’s messes.”

Veteran guard Tyasha Harris did not participate in 5-on-5 work during Thursday’s practice and was the only player listed on the injury report. She has been ruled out for Friday’s game with a knee injury.

Ogunbowale said the level of competition throughout the roster has been noticeable.

“I think everybody’s come to compete,” she said. “Everybody’s been real competitive. They know that, you know, it’s gonna be a tight roster. People have to get cut. So people have been coming really hard and prepared each day, and it’s been good.”

South Bend Stage Awaits as Dallas Wings Face Las Vegas Aces

Friday night’s game against the Aces will mark the first game action under Koclanes and the WNBA debut—preseason or not—for all five Wings rookies. It’s also a homecoming for Ogunbowale, who starred at Notre Dame.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “Obviously, I haven’t played there since my last game as a senior, so I’m just excited. I think when you graduate, you don’t really think you’re ever gonna be able to come back and play, you know, in front of the fans and just in that environment. So the fact that they’re, you know, doing that for us and doing it in preseason and finding the time is special.”

For Koclanes, it’s not just a game—it’s an opportunity to evaluate against external competition, providing new film to study.

“We’re gonna learn so much,” Koclanes said. “Like we’ve had four practices before this game—you can only cover so much. So there’s gonna be moments in this game where it’s like, oh, well, we didn’t really cover that situation or that. So there’ll be a lot of growth and learning to come out of it.”

Koclanes emphasized the balance between experimenting with scouting processes and establishing the team’s identity.

“You know, it’s an opportunity to practice our scouting process and what that looks like,” Koclanes said. “But again, you’ve gotta find the balance. Like, we have to still focus on us here. There are a lot of things here—building our foundation, establishing our anchors, offensively, defensively, what we’re all about. So [I] don’t want us to get too consumed with what the other side—what the Aces are doing.”

Asked about the challenge of defending A’ja Wilson, Koclanes smiled.

“It also gives us a cool opportunity to try out some different things defensively and play against the best player in the world,” Koclanes said.

As for his mindset entering his first game as a head coach?

“Of course, always,” Koclanes said. “The nerves are good. The butterflies are beautiful, so just lean into ’em.”

Bueckers admitted she’ll be feeling it too.

“Yeah—excited, anxious, a little nervous,” she said. “But just super excited overall.”

The Wings will return to Dallas following Friday’s game, resume practice on Sunday, and are expected to make some roster cuts ahead of their official Media Day, which will be held on Wednesday, May 7.