archiveUnrivaled Basketball

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: Dallas Wings Media Day Takeaways The Defensive Standard: Jose Fernandez has made it clear that defensive accountability is his non-negotiable for 2026. By stressing that "what you allow, you encourage," the coaching staff is implementing a system where defensive rotations and communication are graded with the same...

DHJ Quick Take: The Aziaha James Leap The Unrivaled Foundation: After spending her rookie season in a developmental role, Aziaha James arrived at camp in "tip-top shape" following her stint with Phantom BC in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. Coach Jose Fernandez noted that her conditioning and pace have set her...

DHJ Quick Take: Saturday's Takeaways Aziaha James’ Year-Two Leap: Following a confidence-building offseason at Unrivaled, guard Aziaha James has been a clear standout in camp. Her focus on point-of-attack defense—paired with a scoring burst that saw her net three consecutive buckets on Saturday—positions her to be an impactful player. The...

DHJ Quick Take: The Bueckers Era Gets Real The Support System: Last season, Paige Bueckers won Rookie of the Year while essentially carrying a 10-win team. By adding Alanna Smith (the reigning Co-DPOY) and Jessica Shepard (the league leader in FG%), Curt Miller has ensured that Bueckers no longer has...

DHJ Quick Take: The Foundation is Set Undeniable Loyalty: By securing a multi-year deal for the franchise's all-time leading scorer, Curt Miller has ensured that the Wings' rebuild has a stable, veteran heartbeat. Arike Ogunbowale's commitment to Dallas—coming off a historic 2025 where she tied Diana Taurasi for the fastest...