Myisha Hines-Allen Embraces Leadership Role With Dallas Wings: “It Takes Late Nights in the Gym”
Myisha Hines-Allen reflects on learning from Elena Delle Donne, building chemistry in Dallas, and embracing her leadership role with the Wings.
The Dallas Wings have made a key offseason addition in forward Myisha Hines-Allen, a WNBA champion whose experience and leadership may provide a necessary spark for a franchise looking to take the next step after a 9-31 campaign in 2024.
Just three days into training camp, Hines-Allen is already making an impression—not only with her play, but with her voice.
“I think the biggest takeaway from winning a championship in 2019 was how hard it took,” Hines-Allen told DallasHoopsJournal.com, reflecting on her title run with the Washington Mystics. “It just takes hard work. It takes late nights in the gym, it takes hanging out off the court, it takes actually getting to know one another off the court — and then that translates on the court.”
That focus on chemistry is something she sees forming early in Dallas. The Wings added several veteran contributors this offseason, including Hines-Allen, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Tyasha Harris, while welcoming five rookies led by No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers.
“For the most part, I feel like our chemistry is there already. So that’s the easy part,” Hines-Allen 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.”
She’s embraced her responsibilities with clarity and pride.
“That’s what they brought me here to do: facilitate, get open shots for my teammates, set great screens so they can get open,” she 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.”
Wings head coach Chris Koclanes echoed that sentiment earlier in the week, calling Hines-Allen one of the “quarterbacks of our defense” and noting how her communication and floor awareness help organize the team.
Hines-Allen also credits former teammate Elena Delle Donne as a key influence in her growth. Delle Donne, who recently retired after a Hall of Fame-caliber career, left an imprint far beyond the stat sheet.
“Honestly, you can’t really put into words what Elena did for not only the Mystics, but just women’s basketball in general,” Hines-Allen said. “That is a GOAT, for sure.”
“She showed up every day to work with that same mentality of, ‘I’m the best player out here, and I’m going to show you guys I’m the best player out here,’” she continued. “It’s just her work ethic. I remember always coming in, and she was always the first one in the gym, always the first one in the weight room, the last one to leave. It didn’t just drop out of the sky that she was one of the best players in the world. No, she worked for it.”
“Just always having her in my ear, encouraging me to continue to grow my game and get better and never be complacent — that was huge,” Hines-Allen added. “She was never bigger than the team. She was never bigger than anybody in the gym — whether it was media, players, coaching staff, support staff. She was never bigger than any of that. That was something I took from her. It doesn’t matter how big I get or how small I get — everyone’s the same. We’re all human at the end of the day. No one’s bigger than the jersey we put on.”
Now, Hines-Allen brings that same mentorship mindset to a young Wings team that includes not only Bueckers but fellow rookies Aziaha James, Madison Scott, JJ Quinerly, and Aaronette Vonleh.
“I’m one of the older ones, so I’ve got to lead by example and vocally,” she said. “But I think we have the right pieces and we’re just going to keep learning and building.”
Hines-Allen averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 18.7 minutes across 27 games last season, splitting time between the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx. In Dallas, her ability to set screens, switch defensively, and orchestrate from the elbow will complement the team’s versatile core.
She also draws motivation from her athletic family. Her brother, Josh Hines-Allen, plays defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The two recently celebrated Jacksonville selecting Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
“As soon as I saw they drafted Travis at No. 2, I immediately texted [Josh] and was like, ‘Heck yeah, Jacksonville got a dawg,’” she said with a laugh. “And he was like, ‘Yeah, we needed him.’”
Josh plans to support her this summer when his NFL schedule allows.
“He’ll be at some of the games — hopefully for a week or so — because during our season, that’s when he trains in Arizona,” she said. “We already talked about it. He’s super excited for me and this opportunity.”
With championship credentials, mentorship from legends, and a clear sense of purpose, Myisha Hines-Allen’s arrival may be a turning point for the Wings.
“I love the energy so far in the gym,” she said. “It’s basketball — and I think we’re all enjoying this moment right now.”