Luisa Geiselsöder Eager for Dallas Wings After Long-Awaited WNBA Opportunity

Grant AfsethMay 15, 2025May 15, 2025no comment

Luisa Geisesölder, Dallas Wings, WNBA, Germany

FIBA

Luisa Geiselsöder has been preparing for her long-awaited breakthrough into the WNBA, and now it’s official: she’s made the Dallas Wings’ 12-player opening-day roster. The German national team center, drafted in 2020, is finally getting her chance after years of overseas development and setbacks. And the 25-year-old is ready for the opportunity.

“I’m very happy, because I’ve waited so long for this, and something always came up,” Geiselsöder said in an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung. “The dream was never gone. I just waited for the moment when I could go in with full confidence.”

That moment is now. Geiselsöder is coming off a strong season with French club Basket Landes, where she averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game while showcasing her ability to stretch the floor and lead inside. A game-winning three-pointer against Greece in a recent EuroBasket qualifier—a risky banked-in shot under pressure—further underscored her evolving confidence.

“When I let go of the ball, I thought it would either hit the backboard or go completely somewhere else—but luckily, it went in,” she said. “It actually felt really good.”

Luisa Geiselsöder is Embracing a Role in Dallas

While Geiselsöder has yet to arrive in Dallas due to her overseas commitments, Wings head coach Chris Koclanes voiced his excitement about what she’ll bring to the frontcourt rotation once she joins the team.

“She’s exciting, a young stretch [big], extremely smart post player,” Koclanes said. “So she’s gonna bring us some size and the ability to stretch out beyond the yard. We’re excited about what she’s gonna add to our already versatile roster.”

Koclanes noted that there is no exact timeline yet for when Geiselsöder will report to the Wings, but the team remains optimistic about integrating her into the group.

Dallas has one traditional center in 6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan, but lacks depth behind her. In preseason games and practices, the Wings have experimented with using NaLyssa Smith and Myisha Hines-Allen as small-ball center options—lineups that emphasize speed and spacing but can be challenged by more physical matchups.

Dallas has one traditional center in 6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan, but lacks additional size behind her. In recent practices and preseason games, the Wings have experimented with using NaLyssa Smith and Myisha Hines-Allen as small-ball center options—lineups that favor speed and spacing but can be vulnerable against more physical interior matchups.

Geiselsöder’s combination of size, shooting touch, and interior toughness adds a much-needed dimension to the rotation and played a key role in securing her a roster spot, especially when playing in a read-and-react offense next to Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.

“Last year, several WNBA teams approached me,” Geiselsöder revealed. “Curt Miller was able to convince me with his concept. We’ve known each other for a long time. And his plan sounded perfect.”

Curt Miller is High on Luisa Geiselsöder

Miller, who took over basketball operations in Dallas last fall, has emphasized building a team around toughness, versatility, and defensive commitment. Geiselsöder believes her development—especially her increased range and leadership skills—aligns well with that vision.

“She allowed me to grow into the role of a leader,” she said of her coach at Basket Landes, adding that her performance against Team USA during the Olympics gave her added belief. “I realized that I can keep up there. That I can compete with the best players in the world—that gave me a lot of confidence.”

Though Geiselsöder entered camp knowing the roster competition would be stiff, she kept a clear mindset.

“You can be cut any day. And even if you make it through camp, you can still be traded,” she said. “I have nothing to lose.”

Asked if she believed she’d make the final roster, her response was direct: “There are a lot of gaps, especially in the big positions, so the chances are very good.”

Committed to Europe—and Germany

Despite her excitement about the WNBA, Geiselsöder remains committed to playing in Europe during the offseason. With WNBA salaries still relatively modest—rookies earn about $70,000—many international players continue to play overseas to supplement their income.

“I love the European leagues. Besides, the WNBA salary isn’t enough to play in just one country,” she said.

Her contract with Basket Landes expires at the end of the season, and while she’s open to returning to France, she’s also considering other top European options. Germany, however, is off the table: “The level of the DBBL still lags behind the French, Spanish, and Turkish leagues.”

Importantly, Geiselsöder noted that Dallas has agreed to release her for EuroBasket this June—a key factor in her decision to join the Wings.

“Dallas would release me for the European Championship—that was also one of the reasons I chose the club,” she said.

As the WNBA season tips off this week, Geiselsöder is officially on the roster. The journey to this moment has been delayed, but not denied. Now, the 25-year-old is betting on herself—and on Dallas—to make her first WNBA season count.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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Luisa Geiselsöder Eager for Dallas Wings After Long-Awaited WNBA Opportunity