“You Can’t Just Sit There”: Teaira McCowan, Arike Ogunbowale Help Luisa Geiselsöder Navigate WNBA Transition
Five years after being drafted, Luisa Geiselsöder is with the Dallas Wings after remaining overseas, and already, she’s finding teammates eager to ease her WNBA transition.
The 25-year-old center is navigating not only a new team and league, but also the differences between international rules and WNBA regulations. That learning curve was immediately apparent during a walkthrough in Minneapolis, when Arike Ogunbowale and Teaira McCowan noticed Geiselsöder lingering too long in the paint — a legal action under FIBA rules but a violation in the WNBA.
“She had never heard of it,” McCowan told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I told her, ‘Yeah, you can’t just stand there forever like in FIBA.’”
Geiselsöder, reflecting on that early adjustment, acknowledged that one of the first things she had to learn was the defensive three-second rule.
“The first thing is the defensive three seconds,” Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And then everything is just faster. There’s more interaction. In Europe, we have more set plays — you really have your way to go. Here, it’s freer basketball. You can actually show your style and play more.”
Teaira McCowan Shares the Flip Side of the Adjustment
McCowan, who has spent several seasons competing in Turkey, said she went through the reverse adjustment when she first began playing overseas.
“I was getting out because I thought I had to,” McCowan told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “But then I’m like, ‘No, I can just sit here all day.’ If nobody tells me to get out, then I don’t have to. So going overseas was kind of easier. You could just stand there and not worry about it.”
Since her WNBA rookie year in 2019, McCowan has emerged as one of the most dominant post players internationally. She has competed with top Turkish clubs including OGM Ormanspor, Galatasaray and Çukurova Basketbol, and has also represented Turkey in EuroBasket qualifiers after naturalizing. Her success abroad has made her a valuable resource for teammates like Geiselsöder navigating similar transitions.
Geiselsöder, originally drafted No. 21 overall by the Wings in 2020, joins the WNBA after an accomplished run in Europe. Most recently, she helped Basket Landes win the French championship while averaging 11.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
Dallas Wings Impressed by Luisa Geiselsöder, Teammate Support
Wings head coach Chris Koclanes said the lack of on-court time with the team has delayed Geiselsöder’s full integration but noted her high basketball IQ has made a strong impression.
“Yeah, I mean, that’ll come along, but we haven’t had a chance to practice with her yet,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com before Wednesday’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx. “But just sitting down with her, talking and listening to her — she’s extremely smart.”
Koclanes added that Geiselsöder has remained engaged and is absorbing concepts quickly through other team activities.
“She’s been able to pick things up quickly in film sessions and shootarounds,” he said. “And then leaning on her teammates just to make her feel as comfortable as possible.”
That support has included early outreach from team leaders like Ogunbowale and rookie guard Paige Bueckers. Geiselsöder said she’s leaned on both players during the transition.
“Arike helped from the beginning,” Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She reached out to me pretty early. Paige [Bueckers] was always there. Honestly, every time I need something I can ask no matter who — they’re all really open to help me.”
Luisa Geiselsöder Continues Acclimation Process
Before Wednesday’s game, Geiselsöder also went through an extended individual workout with Director of Player Development Jhared Simpson. The near 40-minute session gave the coaching staff a firsthand look at her versatile offensive package.
As she prepares to fully join the rotation, Geiselsöder said she’s focused on showcasing her low-post game and ability to stretch the floor.
“I want to show a little of my footwork in the low post, which I feel really comfortable with,” Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And shoot the three when I’m open. But most importantly, I want to help my teammates — setting good screens, making cuts to get them open, making good passes. Just doing what the team needs in that moment.”
Despite a lack of practice time, Geiselsöder has quickly picked up on the team’s approach. Still, full participation is the next step.
McCowan spoke about finding her rhythm within the team’s offense.
“I just figured out where to implement myself into the offense and kind of went with it,” McCowan told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I’m also trying to get my teammates more involved — getting them open shots by setting screens. It’s all of us playing together on one accord.”
Through it all, Geiselsöder said the team environment has helped her feel at home despite the learning curve.
“It’s fun. It’s really fun,” Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “The girls really welcomed me openly and warmly. It’s new — a little overwhelming in the beginning — but all in all, I feel really comfortable with the girls and the whole organization. It’s amazing.”
Following the 85–81 loss to the Lynx, the Wings returned to Dallas and are scheduled to hold their first full practice with Geiselsöder on Friday. It will mark a key step in her integration before the team departs for Atlanta to continue its road trip against the Dream on Saturday.
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- “I Feel Really Comfortable”: Luisa Geiselsöder Details Early Dallas Wings Adjustment and WNBA Transition
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