On Wednesday, the Dallas Wings introduced its new additions of players acquired through the 2025 WNBA Draft.
First round selections guards Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James, second round selections guard-forward Madison Scott and guard JJ Quinerly, and third round selection center Aaronette Vonleh were introduced by general manager Curt Miller and head coach Chris Koclanes.
With the new acquisitions, Dallas enhanced the team by bringing in a talented draft class, allowing them to learn from the veterans and gain experience in the league.
“It’s all about that connection that we can create,” Miller said Wednesday. “We have a lot of vets, but they’re youthful vets. We’re a young team, and that balance is exciting. They have all these experiences, and they’re still very youthful. We’ll challenge the rookies and empower them to be rookies and lean on the vets, and at the same time, you have all these great experience as well.”
On the day of the 2025 WNBA Draft lottery took place, members of the Dallas Wings organization were hopeful of landing the top pick to select Bueckers.
Miller was thrilled to learn that the team won the draft lottery, given their 22.7% chance of winning before it took place in November. He also praised Bueckers’ style of play and her impact for the UConn Huskies over the past five years despite dealing with injuries and adversity.
Dallas Wings CEO Greg Bibb said, “The ping-pong gods smiled upon us.”
“The big picture is we knew what that meant at that moment, that we would have an opportunity to draft the number one pick, but in the big picture, on the big decision was [choosing] Paige Bueckers,” Miller said on the Wings winning the draft lottery. “So, [that was an] exciting moment.”
Wings Head Into The New Era Through Offseason Acquisitions
Throughout the offseason, the Dallas Wings experienced changes in the front office and player movement following a challenging season. They dealt with numerous injuries, leading to a disappointing 9-31 record, which left them finishing second-to-last in the league for the 2024 season.
After the season, Dallas replaced Latricia Trammell with Koclanes as the new head coach and brought in Miller as the team’s new general manager.
The Wings traded forward Satou Sabally to the Phoenix Mercury and, in return, acquired DiJonai Carrington, Ty Harris, and NaLyssa Smith in a historic four-team trade in February. This move marked the beginning of a new era for the team.
Additionally, Dallas strengthened its roster during the offseason by adding a strong draft class from this year’s draft. Even Miller referred to the Wings’ acquisition of this draft class as a “home run.”
“We are trying to create a player-first environment and attract future players to want to come and stay in Dallas,” Miller said. “And through free agency, through trades, we have accomplished a lot of our goals of bringing in great players, but more importantly, great people that other people around the league would want to play with.”
One year ago, the Wings announced that they would also move to downtown Dallas in a new arena, where they would start playing in 2026 after playing at their current arena, College Park Center, for a decade since relocating from Tulsa.
2025 has been challenging for dedicated basketball fans in Dallas, primarily due to the Mavericks’ shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there is a silver lining: the Wings selected Paige Bueckers as the number one pick in the draft, bringing a sense of optimism to the city.
“I think sports brings everybody together, but I think the positivity, the momentum, just look around the building,” Miller said. “The excitement that the Wings have right now. We can’t wait to build on that momentum and build it with the fanbase in the DFW area. There’s never been a greater time to be a women’s basketball fan. Catch the wave, catch the momentum! It’s coming.”
The City Of Dallas Welcomes Paige Bueckers With Open Arms
Official! Paige Bueckers in a Stetson Cowboy hat. 🤠#dallaswings pic.twitter.com/q6d4KXUrYv
— Sam Gannon (@SamGannon87) April 23, 2025
During the introductory press conference, Miller expressed his desire for Bueckers to become a player who can achieve a 50/40/90 stat mark. He highlighted her remarkable stats and accomplishments from her time with the Huskies, describing her as “one of the most decorated and efficient players in college basketball history.”
Throughout her collegiate career, Bueckers faced adversity and injuries, culminating in a high note as she led the Huskies to their first National Championship since 2016.
“Obviously you don’t want to take anything for granted, be entitled to anything,” Bueckers said. “You want to continue to stay motivated to work to be in that position to get drafted. Just excited for whatever the future held, wherever I ended up, first pick, last pick, it didn’t really matter to me. But now that we’re here, we’re in the present, we’re in Dallas, I’m super excited for the future.”
Bueckers credits her faith for expressing gratitude and for helping her to be in a state of peace and happiness.
“My faith has really grounded me,” Bueckers said. “It’s kept me in a place where I’ve been grateful for everything that’s happened that’s been thrown my way. It’s keep me humble to not take anything for granted, and it’s just helped me enjoy the journey and be present in every single moment.”
“It hasn’t always been pretty, but we’ve turned it around, and everything works for the greater good and just leaning on his purpose. For me, leaning on his plan for me, giving up my own understanding of life has really helped me just be in a state of peace and joy and gratitude.”
How Will Paige Bueckers Pair With Arike Ogunbowale?
Paige Bueckers talks about the excitement behind teaming up with 4x All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, and embarking on a new journey with the @DallasWings franchise 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/gMQ3oPR2QO
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 23, 2025
Pairing Paige Bueckers with two-time WNBA All-Star MVP and scoring champion Arike Ogunbowale, known for her scoring ability and clutch performances in late-game situations, is something fans will be watching closely. Their on-court chemistry will be key as they work to develop their teamwork throughout the season.
Throughout the offseason, Ogunbowale took to social media to express her excitement about being Bueckers’ new teammate after the Wings won the Draft lottery.
“She’s electric, can score on all levels, just a bucket getter,” Bueckers said on Ogunbowale. “I’m looking to assist her a lot, space the floor, get her open looks. But I’m excited to be with everyone on this team. We’ve got some dawgs. I’m excited to build that in camp — build the passion, build the excitement of a new system, a new coaching staff, a new team.”
What Are The Expectations For The Wings This Season?
🤠🤠🤠🤠 pic.twitter.com/ZzYmdP3hY0
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) April 23, 2025
Two years ago, the Dallas Wings finished in the top four of the standings and won their first playoff game since 2008, when they were still known as the Detroit Shock. They advanced to the semifinals but were swept by WNBA Champions, the Las Vegas Aces.
With a revamped roster this season, the Wings aim to return to the playoffs and continue building their team momentum and culture.
“I’m just excited to play at the next level and be able to learn from such a great group of vets and have a great team,” said Vonleh, who was selected 31st overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of Baylor. “And Dallas is an amazing city, so excited to be here full time.”
As training camp begins league-wide on Sunday, the question is how the Wings’ finalized roster look by the start of the regular season
“I feel like my heart,” James said on her expectations as a member of the Dallas Wings organization. “Just being that dog and sponge, learning from my vets. And this whole team is full of dogs. I’m ready to be a part of it [and] continue to see legacy that the Dallas Wings have.”
The Dallas Wings will begin their season on May 16 when they will face the runner-up, the Minnesota Lynx, at home.
