‘She Looks Very Composed’: Dallas Wings Encouraged by Serena Sundell’s First Practice Before Connecticut Sun Game

Grant AfsethAugust 26, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images

Serena Sundell’s first practice with the Dallas Wings came less than 24 hours after signing a seven-day hardship contract. Thrown immediately into the mix of a shorthanded roster, the 6-foot-2 guard embraced the challenge of finding her role quickly.

Sundell said she welcomed the opportunity to step into a professional locker room, even on short notice. She explained that while the transition was fast, she felt an immediate sense of chemistry during her first practice and is eager to contribute however she can.

“The W is crazy. I’m super excited for the opportunity to come into a team that I can come in and be a gap filler,” Sundell told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I’m just trying to be as receptive as I can, get thrown into a lot of things right away. But this group has been great so far. First practice, I felt like team connection was there, and I’m excited to be on the court.”

Background and Summer Growth

A Missouri native, Sundell was selected 26th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm after a decorated career at Kansas State. She graduated as the program’s all-time assists leader and was a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection, adding AP and WBCA All-America Honorable Mention honors during her senior season in 2024-25. Sundell averaged 14.1 points and 7.3 assists while shooting over 50 percent from the field in her final year with the Wildcats. Waived by Seattle before the start of the regular season, she stayed active by competing for the USA 3×3 Women’s Nations League Team in Chile this July.

Sundell explained that her summer in an international 3×3 competition forced her to sharpen her reads and decision-making in high-pressure situations.

“I played in three different three-on-three tournaments this summer and got to meet a lot of professional athletes,” Sundell said to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Three-on-three just in general is really helpful as you try to develop as a player. You’re making reads and the shot clock is at 12 seconds, so you gotta be at the top of your game and have really good habits. It’s a tiring game, but I think I’ve definitely grown over the summer.”

Now with the Wings, Sundell’s focus is on translating those lessons into five-on-five play and providing steady guard play. She said her goal is to slow the game down, especially when the ball is in her hands.

“Honestly, just taking what I’ve learned this summer in those 3×3 tournaments, being able to make the right reads and make the right plays,” Sundell explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Just having the game slow down a little bit as a guard with the ball in my hands. I just want to make sure I’m making the right decisions.”

Even after just one day with the team, Sundell emphasized that her mindset is to contribute wherever the Wings need help. She pointed to energy, attitude and adaptability as the traits she hopes to bring to the rotation.

“I’ve been here less than 24 hours, but I just wanna come in with a great attitude and be that player that’s gonna fill the gaps of whatever’s asked from me and be a great teammate,” Sundell shared with DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I’m just trying to be receptive these upcoming days and do whatever this team needs and asks me.”

Praise From Dallas Wings Teammates and Coaches

With so many players sidelined, the Wings’ coaching staff has simplified communication to make the adjustment smoother. For Sundell, that approach has helped her feel comfortable in a new environment and focus on instincts and chemistry with teammates.

“I think my basketball IQ is high, so I’m picking up concepts already,” Sundell told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I’ve learned some terminology today, but they’re keeping it simple. At the end of the day, we wanna come and win basketball games, so you just gotta kind of rely on your instincts and then also rely on that little communication that’s going on throughout the team.”

Head coach Chris Koclanes said Sundell’s size and poise at the guard spot stood out immediately. He believes her ability to organize the offense and handle defensive assignments will be valuable in filling gaps.

“With Serena, it was a good first practice,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She has great size at the guard position and plays at her own speed. Hopefully, she can continue to do that when she gets opportunities with us. She can bring more organization, another ball handler to relieve some pressure, and defensively, she can be versatile with her size.”

Luisa Geiselsöder also shared her first impressions after practicing alongside Sundell. She highlighted the young guard’s composure and control, even in her early days with the team.

“She has great size at the guard position, and she looks very composed,” Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “You can see she plays at her own pace, which is important. I think she’ll bring us another option in the backcourt, more organization, and help with ball handling. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can add.”

Adjustments to Practice Structure

The Wings’ depth issues have also forced the coaching staff to adapt the practice structure. Koclanes explained that clarity and repetition are crucial when so many new players are being integrated into the system.

“Be intentional about our language, making sure they get comfortable with our terminology,” Koclanes said to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And then just trying to get them reps while we can. We were lucky to have a good group of guys today to go against, so we were able to compete and give them that chance to feel it.”

Geiselsöder echoed that point, stressing that communication is just as important for returning players as it is for newcomers like Sundell. She said a more talkative approach will be needed across the roster to stay sharp defensively.

“It’s the key,” Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It’s something I really want to emphasize tomorrow — just being more talkative, saying everything I see, covering all the details, helping everybody on the floor. Especially for the players who just came in, it’s important. But honestly, the whole team has to step up our communication.”

Looking Ahead to Connecticut

The Wings (9-29) face another test on Wednesday, hosting a Connecticut Sun team led by Eastern Conference Player of the Week Tina Charles. For Sundell, though, the priority is continuing to learn and settle into her new role as quickly as possible.

“I just wanna come in with a great attitude,” she reiterated to DallasHoopsJournal.com, “and do whatever this team needs.”

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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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