archiveAlanna Smith

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream Primer Arc Security: Jose Fernandez and Paige Bueckers both identified Atlanta’s transition three-point hunting as the top defensive priority. With Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard leading the break, Dallas must shore up the perimeter discipline that wavered late in the...

DHJ Quick Take: The Battle for the Boards Containing the "Double-Double Queen": After Angel Reese opened her Dream tenure with 14 rebounds, Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard are tasked with neutralizing her second-chance energy. Smith’s focus on "limiting Reese on the glass" is the game's swing factor; if Dallas can...

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever The No. 1 Narrative: This game isn't just a season opener; it’s a living history of the WNBA’s recent lottery luck. Having Boston, Clark, Bueckers, and Fudd—the last four No. 1 picks—on the court simultaneously is a marketing dream that anchors the...

DHJ Quick Take: Wings Near Full Strength for Indy The Probable Advantage: Seeing Alanna Smith and Aziaha James listed as "probable" is the best possible news for the Wings' flight to Indianapolis. While Jose Fernandez has been cautious with his public comments, the official designation suggests that both key pieces...

DHJ Quick Take: Practice Readiness and Culture Building Injury Watch: The most critical update from Thursday is Aziaha James returning to drills. Her perimeter defense and scoring punch are vital for a backcourt that needs depth against Caitlin Clark. While Alanna Smith is still limited to individual work, the "progressing...

DHJ Quick Take: Monitoring the Final Countdown The Long View on Alanna: Jose Fernandez is playing it close to the vest regarding Alanna Smith. While "on schedule" is a positive phrase, the emphasis on the "long season" suggests the medical staff is prioritizing her long-term safety over the Week 1...

DHJ Quick Take: The Paige Bueckers Era is Here The Ultimate Endorsement: Being voted the #1 player to build a franchise around by WNBA GMs—beating out a four-time MVP in A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark—is the definitive "passing of the torch" moment. It proves that the basketball world views Bueckers’...

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings Injury Updates The Frontcourt Anchor: Alanna Smith’s status is the most significant hurdle for the Wings heading into Indianapolis. A nasal fracture sustained from an A'ja Wilson elbow means Smith will be fitted for a protective mask, but her absence from practice leaves a void...

DHJ Quick Take: Arike Ogunbowale’s Legacy of Loyalty The Culture Shift: Arike Ogunbowale’s decision to re-sign for less than the super max is the foundational move of the Jose Fernandez era. By prioritizing roster flexibility over personal salary, she helped facilitate the signings of Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, proving...

DHJ Quick Take: Arike Ogunbowale Returns to Dallas Wings The Saturday Outlook: Arike Ogunbowale’s "for sure" status for the opener in Indianapolis is the definitive takeaway. After a 2-0 preseason without her, the Wings reintegrate their cornerstone against a Fever backcourt now featuring the Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston tandem....