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Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings - Game Highlights

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Top Steals of the Day, 06/13/2024

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Game Recap: Wings vs. Sparks (6/7/24)

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Game Recap: Dream vs. Wings (9/19/23)

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Game Recap: Dream vs. Wings (9/15/23)

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A week after the WNBA draft and less than two weeks before training camp begins, the Dallas Wings are crossing their collective fingers in hopes that their draft picks, new defensive-minded head coach, off-season acquisitions, and more seasoned roster will translate into wins and a deeper playoff run.
With multiple first-round picks, the Wings loaded up on shooters &#8211; shoring up an already-solid offensive team led by bucket-getter Arike Ogunbowale &#8211; and players who team officials call multi-dimensional.
“If you look at our draft class this year, it should be pretty evident we prioritize shooting,” said Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb. “I feel very good about the talent we added to the roster in advance of training camp in terms of not only shooting the basketball &#8211; we’ve added elite shooters &#8211; but really good basketball players and even better people.”
The Wings entered the draft with the third, fifth, and 11th selections in the first round, in part a result of a trade for Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields. They later took part in a mid-draft trade and ended up with picks 3, 4, and 5 on the night of the first round. 
Maddy Siegrist &#8211; Pick #3
The 6-foot-1 Siegrist &#8211; who counts Elena Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart as her favorite WNBA players &#8211; led the nation in scoring with 29 points per game, averaged 9.2 rebounds, and was named the Big East Player of the Year and a first-team All-American.
“She can score the basketball, but she’s more than an offensive player,” Bibb said of the Villanova guard. “I think her defensive ability is underrated. She has great size and length. I think she can play a multitude of positions.”
“Dallas is one of the most exciting places to be in the league, and it’s one of the best teams,” said Siegrist during a recent media availability. “They’re hot right now and coming off a good season. I can’t wait to get settled in and officially get started.”
The Wings are hoping Siegrist’s versatility will come in handy this season and she can fit easily into wherever the system needs her. 
“The easiest part of my game is moving without the ball,” she said. “Playing the 5 out at Villanova helped me learn to do that naturally and I think now it is something I do without thinking.”
An area she plans to work on during her first year in the league is improving defensively, mentioning that she loves that new Head Coach Latricia Tramwell values both sides of the ball.
Stephanie Soares &#8211; Pick #4
On draft night, the Wings traded with the Washington Mystics to acquire the fourth pick, Iowa State center Stephanie Soares. They gave up a second-round pick in 2024 and a first-rounder in 2025 in the trade.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of an in-draft process trade, but when you have an opportunity to add a player of the caliber of Stephanie Soares, you do what it takes,” said Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb.
The 6-foot-6 Soares was a top player in her only year with the Cyclones, averaging 14.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13 games. But like Lopez Sénéchal, her immediate impact on the Wings is unknown. She tore her ACL earlier this year and likely won’t play this season.
“There just aren&#8217;t that many 6-foot-6-inch post players who can run the floor and shoot the ball like Stephanie,” Bibb said. “And the other thing that jumped off the film for me is how good her feet were in small spaces and her ability to finish with either hand. You just don’t get that kind of complete package that often in post players.”
“Most likely she’s not going to be playing for the team in the 2023 season, but she’ll be very much part of the organization, and we’ll work closely with her to get her healthy and ready to go for 2024.”
In talking with the media on Monday, Soares thanked her teammates and coaches at Iowa State even after her injury but said she is ready for what’s next.
“The people I&#8217;ve been around at Iowa State have been so supportive. Even when I got injured, there were tears, and for every athlete, it&#8217;s hard getting injured. But they were like, &#8216;OK, let&#8217;s take the next step. What do we have to do next?'&#8221;
“I think I&#8217;m just ready to get to Dallas now and start getting to work. It&#8217;s going to be a great, great next step to the journey,&#8221; Soares said.
Lou Lopez Sénéchal &#8211; Pick #5
The former UConn 6-foot-1 combo guard/forward (she played only one season) was picked #5 by the Wings. In her lone year as a Husky, she averaged 15.5 points per game and shot 44 percent from the three. She played her first four seasons at Fairfield. 
“She’s just pure in terms of her ability to shoot the basketball,” Bibb said of Lopez -Sénéchal. I love to watch her play, and she is wise beyond her years.”
Lopez Sénéchal is the first Mexican-born player to be drafted by the WNBA. She was born in Mexico but grew up in Grenoble, France. 
“I think it&#8217;s a very special feeling to be the first one. I hope not to be the last one. I hope that this is an example for many other girls from Mexico or other countries that have the same dream as mine. I hope to inspire those younger girls, but it’s just very special to be a part of this community.&#8221;
Coach Trammell calls Lopez Sénéchal a competitor. “She&#8217;s had tough coaching. She&#8217;s been at the highest level on a stage, and she has gone beyond expectations. So, I expect her to do the same here.&#8221;
Unfortunately for the Wings, they’ll have to wait and see how she fits with the team. She is rehabbing from a knee injury that occurred earlier this year, so her immediate impact is unknown.
Bibb said on Monday that she was scheduled to undergo an official medical evaluation with Wings staff on Tuesday and then take it from there. 
“We will take our time, and she will not get on the court until she feels 100% healthy and 100% ready to go,” he told the media. “This is not a short play for us. And we want her to be at her absolute best when she steps on the court in the Dallas Wings uniform for the first time.&#8221;
Lopez Sénéchal &#8211; who cites Kelsey Plum and her work ethic as motivations &#8211; is looking forward to bringing her shooting and her overall game to the Wings. 
“I think my shooting is something I can keep working on. It is one of my strengths of course,” she said. “But the main thing I want to work on is becoming a better defender. At UCONN it was already something I was working on and here, being on the pro level, it becomes more intense, so I think working on my defense is going to be one of my priorities as well.”
Armed with a new head, top picks, veterans Ogunbowale, Natasha Howard, DeShields, Satou Sabally, and more, the Wings look to make some noise this season. 
Training camp opens on April 30th with 18 players vying for 12 spots. 
Let the competition begin.
WNBA reporter Dorothy J. Gentry writes a column on <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="http://wnba.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/dorothyjgentry">@DorothyJGentry</a>. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

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The Dallas Wings' New Wave: Poised from the Perimeter

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On Monday night, 36 players heard their names called to take the next step in their basketball journey, as they take their talents from the collegiate or international level and join the WNBA.
We look back at each first-round selection and break down what they will bring to their new team and how their game will translate to the next level.
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<li> Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever (F/C, South Carolina)</li>
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Holding the No. 1 overall pick for the first time ever, the Fever added a foundational piece to their rebuild in Aliyah Boston. The 2022 Naismith Player of the Year and two-time Naismith Defensive Player of the Year is an interior force on both ends of the court. She’ll anchor the Fever on defense and can dominate around the basket on offense with a combination of size, strength, tenacity, and footwork that should translate well to the pro level.
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<li> Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx (G, Maryland)</li>
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With Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore retired, Minnesota is looking to build its next dynasty. The Lynx beat the odds to get the No. 2 pick – their highest pick since taking Moore No. 1 in 2011 – and selected Miller, an athletic guard out of Maryland that should pair nicely with Napheesa Collier to give the Lynx a dynamic wing duo to build around. At 6-foot-3, Miller has the ability to defend multiple positions on defense, while still adding a scoring punch off the bounce and attacking the basket on offense.
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<li> Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings (F, Villanova)</li>
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This offseason has seen Dallas add a pair of former All-Stars and champions in Natasha Howard and Diamond DeShields while saying goodbye to Allisha Gray and Marina Mabrey. With Gray and Mabrey out, the Wings needed perimeter shooting and scoring, and the addition of Maddy Siegrist fits that bill. The top scorer in college basketball at 29.2 points per game, Siegrist shot 51% from the field and 36% from deep for Villanova.
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<li> Stephanie Soares, Dallas Wings via trade Washington Mystics (F/C, Iowa State) </li>
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The Wings traded their second-round pick in 2024 and Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2025 to acquire the rights to Stephanie Soares, a 6-foot-6 center who played 13 games at Iowa State last before suffering a torn ACL that will force her to miss the 2023 WNBA season. In her limited time on the court this season, Soares impressed with a combination of size, mobility, and shooting touch from the perimeter that should translate well to the WNBA once she’s healthy.
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<li> Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Dallas Wings (G/F, Connecticut)</li>
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The Wings added the top 3-point shooter in the draft in Sénéchal, who shot 44% from beyond the arc in her only season with UConn after playing four seasons at Fairfield. More than a catch-and-shoot 3-point threat, Sénéchal can also score off the bounce with a nice pull-up game. The step up in competition from Fairfield to Connecticut didn’t daunt her, so don’t expect the move to the WNBA to do so either.
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<li> Haley Jones, Atlanta Dream (G/F, Stanford)</li>
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With Dream coach Tanisha Wright looking for versatile players that can push the pace, the addition of Jones is a perfect fit. The 6-foot-1 guard is an excellent playmaker in transition, showing off a high hoops IQ by consistently making the right play for herself or a teammate. Jones brings championship experience as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 Women’s Final Four, and the ability to play and defend multiple positions. She’ll have to improve her perimeter shooting as she made just 23 3-pointers on 22% shooting in four seasons at Stanford.
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<li> Grace Berger, Indiana Fever (G, Indiana)</li>
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It’s fitting that the University of Indiana’s first-ever first-round pick in the WNBA Draft would be made by the Indiana Fever. Berger is a 6-foot combo guard that helped the Hoosiers earn the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament this season with her combination of strength, toughness, versatility, and mid-range mastery. In her fifth season, Berger shot career highs of 48.4% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range (although only on 27 attempts).
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<li> Laeticia Amihere, Atlanta Dream (F, South Carolina)</li>
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Amihere may not have the statistical resume of a first-round pick – career averages of 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4 starts – but she may have the most upside of any player in this draft. Standing 6-foot-4 with a 6-10 wingspan, Amihere is an elite athlete that Dawn Staley calls the most versatile player she’s ever coached at South Carolina. She can run the point and play in the post on offense while defending all five positions on defense.
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<li> Jordan Horston, Seattle Storm (G, Tennessee)</li>
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It’s a new era of Storm basketball following the retirement of Sue Bird and the departure of Breanna Stewart. As the Storm look to rebuild, they add a guard in Horston that brings a combination of skills as a scorer, a playmaker, and a defender that had her projected to be picked in the top half of the first round.
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<li> Zia Cooke, Los Angeles Sparks (G, South Carolina)</li>
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On draft night, Nneka Ogwumike came running over to embrace her new teammate as soon as Cooke wrapped up her post-selection interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Cooke gives the Sparks some added depth in the backcourt with the ability to score at all three levels: she has explosive speed to get to the basket, has a solid mid-range game, and shot the 3 at 35% her senior season at South Carolina.
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<li> Abby Meyers, Dallas Wings (G, Maryland)</li>
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The Wings added another 3-point shooter with their last of four first-round picks (one via trade). Meyers shot 38.8% from 3-point range in her only season at Maryland after transferring from Princeton. The 6-foot guard stepped up her competition from the Ivy League to a Power 5 conference and impressed with her recent play in the NCAA Tournament.
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<li> Maïa Hirsch, Minnesota Lynx (C, France)</li>
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With their second pick of the first round, the Lynx made a selection for the future by drafting the 19-year-old center from France. Hirsch is not expected to come over to play in the WNBA this season, but rather continue to develop her game overseas. Her 6-foot-5 frame and enormous potential make her a fascinating prospect to watch in the years ahead.
Longtime WNBA reporter Brian Martin writes articles on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

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WNBA Draft 2023: First Round Roundup

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The 2023 WNBA draft is in the books, as the league welcomed its new talent on Monday night in New York City.
So which newly drafted players have a chance to be strong options in fantasy women&#8217;s basketball this season?
Here are the five rookies to keep a close eye on this season.
<h2><a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4432831/aliyah-boston">Aliyah Boston</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/ind/indiana-fever">Indiana Fever</a></h2>
Boston is one of the best prospects to enter the WNBA this generation and was the de facto top pick in waiting all season. She will be the franchise player for the Fever, with last year&#8217;s number two overall pick <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4398776/nalyssa-smith">NaLyssa Smith</a> joining her to form an intimidating front line. Standing 6-foot-5, Boston is dominant on the interior. She is a two-time NCAA Defensive Player of the Year and should be a nightly threat to grab double-digit boards with 3-plus combined blocks and steals.
On offense, Boston may be a better scorer at the WNBA level from both a volume and an efficiency perspective because defenses won&#8217;t be allowed to zone and stack the paint against her the way they did in college. She was a mid-teens scorer on strong shooting percentages in college and has the upside to eventually exceed that at the pro level. She also dished a couple of assists and knocked down a few 3-pointers in college. While the latter isn&#8217;t expected to be a big part of her game in the pros, it indicates Boston has comfortability handling the ball both inside and on the perimeter, which further speaks to her increased offensive potential for the Fever.
<h2><a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4433635/diamond-miller">Diamond Miller</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/min/minnesota-lynx">Minnesota Lynx</a></h2>
The Lynx step into their future with Miller as their new star-in-waiting next to incumbent franchise players <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/3917450/napheesa-collier">Napheesa Collier</a>. Miller has guard skills with the size and length of a frontcourt player. She developed into a high-volume scorer and do-everything player as a senior at Maryland, averaging around 20 PPG, 6 RPG and 3 APG. Miller&#8217;s length and athletic ability allow her to be a strong finisher in the paint, which should be a benefit at the pro level where zone defenses and packing the paint isn&#8217;t allowed.
She needs to work on her 3-point shot, but she did average 1.2 3PG on 33.9 3FG% her sophomore and junior years before stepping back as a senior, so she does have some upside as a shooter. For fantasy purposes, some of her best upside may come as a defender, where she averaged 2.1 SPG and 1.3 BPG as a senior and has the upside to average two combined &#8220;stocks&#8221; (steals + blocks) as a rookie.
<h2><a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4399415/maddy-siegrist">Maddy Siegrist</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/dal/dallas-wings">Dallas Wings</a></h2>
Siegrist is a bonafide bucket-getter that increased her scoring average every season at Villanova, up to a nation-leading 29.2 PPG as a senior. The Wings lost their two best perimeter scorers this offseason, and Siegrist and fifth overall pick Lou Lopez Seneschal will both be tabbed to come in and fill that gap. Siegrist is 6-foot-2 with an inside/outside scoring game that gives her the versatility to take smaller wings to the block with the shooting ability to punish bigs that try to come out and defend her. She knocked down more than 36 percent of her 3-point shots last season, and for her college career made almost two treys per game.
Her best secondary categories for fantasy purposes came on defense, where she averaged more than nine boards, a steal and a block in each of her last three seasons at Villanova. Those numbers may not fully translate to the WNBA, where the level of athleticism is so much higher, but with playing time she should contribute enough in those areas to supplement her strong scoring.
<h2><a href="https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4399114/lou-lopez-senechal">Lou Lopez Senechal</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/dal/dallas-wings">Dallas Wings</a></h2>
Lopez Senechal is a pure shooter, likely the best to come out in this year&#8217;s draft. She played four seasons for Fairfield, a smaller school, before transferring to UConn as a senior and knocking down career-best marks of 2.1 3PG and 44.0 3P% at the highest level. In fact, more than a third of her made field goals last season were from behind the arc. Lopez Senechal projects as a fantasy hoops specialist, with upside to be a double-digit scorer with multiple treys per game but not a lot of peripheral activity.
She will be a fringe fantasy hoops draft candidate as a rookie, but if undrafted her shooting and scoring should keep her on the fantasy radar as a potential free agent pickup/streamer if her role is big enough.
<h2><a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4595910/haley-jones">Haley Jones</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/atl/atlanta-dream">Atlanta Dream</a></h2>
The Dream needed a playmaker on the wing to pair with last season&#8217;s top pick and Rookie of the Year <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4398674/rhyne-howard">Rhyne Howard</a>, and they got that in Jones. Jones is such a perfect fit for the Dream on paper that she was mocked to them with the third overall pick earlier this year before the Dream traded that pick, so it worked out perfectly for them to still get her at six. Jones has good size for a wing at 6-foot-1, but she played a lot of point for Stanford and will help Howard and 2021 No. 3 overall pick <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4066553/aari-mcdonald">Aari McDonald</a> with ball-handling and offense creation.
Jones struggles as a 3-point shooter, averaging only 0.2 3PG on 21.9 3P% in her collegiate career, but she&#8217;s a strong enough finisher in the paint that she could still flirt with double-digit scoring as a rookie if she gets enough playing time. Jones averaged 9.0 RPG and 4.0 APG as a senior and brings that all-around production potential to the WNBA. Jones is also a strong on-ball defender that makes smart decisions and rarely gets beat, and she averaged almost a steal and block per game in college. The defensive stats are big fantasy points generators, so if she can translate that to the pro level it would round out her fantasy hoops value as a potential late round draft pick.
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Fantasy Women's Basketball: Which Rookies Will Make The Biggest Impact in 2023?

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Lou Lopez Sénéchal

<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; Fifth overall selection in WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings (2023)</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; First-team All-BIG EAST</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; 2021-22 MAAC Player of the Year</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; 2022 MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; Three-time All-MAAC First Team (2020, &#8217;21, &#8217;22)</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; Two-time All-Met First Team (2021, &#8217;22)</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; 2018-19 MAAC Rookie of the Year</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&#8211; 2018-19 MAAC All-Rookie Team</div>