Photo Courtesy: Dallas Wings
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Since the last time this team was out on the court a lot has changed. Coaches, players and adding new draftee additions.
The Wings welcomed in new head Coach Latricia Trammell who spent her previous four seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks overseeing the defense.
The team brought in Diamond DeShields from the Phoenix Mercury in a four-team trade and Marina Mabrey going to the Chicago Sky.
The New York Liberty traded guard Natasha Howard and 2020 Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield in a trade that led Kayla Thorton to the New York Liberty and Tyahsa Harris to the Phoenix Mercury.
And Allisha Gray was traded to the Atlanta Dream for the No.3 pick in the 2023 draft: Maddy Siegrist from Villanova.
Some new additions from the WNBA draft:
- Maddy Siegris – (F) from Villanova University was the 3rd overall selection. She led the nation in scoring with 29.2 points per game and this season she recorded 1,081 points which was the second-most points ever recorded in Division I women’s basketball.
- Stephanie Soares – (F/C) from Iowa State was able to shoot 54.4% from the field and recorded a double-double in eight of thirteen games. She also represented Brazil at the 2022 FIBA South American Women’s Championship averaging 10.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and won a gold medal with the team.
- Lou Lopez Senechal – (G/F) from the University of Connecticut was the fifth overall selection. She averaged 15.5 points per game and scored in double figures in all but five games. Lopez had an outstanding performance against Tennessee going 4-6 (66.7%) from beyond the arc.
- Abby Meyers – (G) out of the University of Maryland was the 11th overall selection. She averaged 14.3 points per game and was named 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team.
- Ashey Joens – (G/F) from Iowa State had 3,060 career points and was named the Cheryl Miller Award Winner for the 3rd straight season.
- Paige Robinson – (G) from Illinois State University Robinson is the first-ever Redbird player to be drafted into the league and her lone year with ISU she finished with more than 2,600 career points.
Center Teaira McCowan said she is very impressed with the way the rookies have approached the league so far.
“They’re doing very well for most rookies that I have seen,” said McCowan. “They’ve been doing all the little things and paying attention to detail. They also pick up great and fast when Coach Trammell makes a correction. I am excited to work with them.”
With adding in younger faces to the team Coach Trammell said that she was impressed with the mentorship the veterans have shown to the rookies.
“They’re helping them with that transition from college to professional basketball,” said Trammell. “There’s a lot of communication on and off the court and you have got to love that.
Head Coach Latricia Trammell after training camp day two, May 1, 2023, Arlington, Texas (Photo/Lys Marquez)
As this week kicked off the start of training camp you can see the chemistry and determination within this team. After practice Head Coach Latricia Trammell gathered the team and asked each individual player what they liked about the day’s practice.
“I think we want to be a part and create the environment we want to be a part of,” said Trammell. “And I think that starts with me.”
The team all has one common goal: to win. They’re instilling a championship mentality and environment in practice everyday.
“The players have really bought into that and they know the philosophy,” said Trammell. “We are working toward that mentality.”
Diamond DeShields is one of the more experienced players on the team and has quickly become a leader alongside Natasha Howard and Arike Ogunbowale.
“The coaches have really given us the opportunity to be very vocal and provide a lot of feedback,” said DeShields. “The three of us all have a mutual respect for each other as players. We have been in Dallas prior to training camp, getting to know one another, and it’s allowed us to create that bond.”
Guard Diamond DeShields speaking to the media after training camp day two, May 1, 2023, Arlington,Texas (Photo/Lys Marquez)
Coach Trammell believes it is important to have a strong foundation amongst the team and staff. She says her approach to connecting with players: “A lot of team bonding”.
“Tomorrow we are going to the Texas Rangers game,” said Trammell. “ We get to watch Diamond DeShields throw out the first pitch. After our first preseason game we are taking them to do paint with a twist. Doing little things like that, game night.”
Coach Trammell said it is important to understand and know the people you are with everyday.
“You have to get to know each other because everyone is taking a different path to get to where we want to be.”
Since being traded to the Wings, DeShields said the support from Coach Trammell has allowed her to have a reset in her career. The staff and organization are “pro” Diamond.
“LT [Latritica Trammell] has been incredibly encouraging,” said DeShields. “Understanding my background and how the past couple of years have unfolded for me. She has provided me the space to hit reset and it has been really refreshing. I know physically and mentally I am in the right space. It’s not something everybody gets to experience especially after coming off a pretty substantial surgery like I did.”
DeShields added she’s anxiously awaiting the start of the season.
During the offseason someone who continued playing overseas was Teaira McCowan. McCowan obtained her Turkish citizenship and began her third season with Galatasaray in Istanbul, Turkey. She averaged 16.5 points and 10.2 rebounds in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League.
McCowan also had the chance to play for the Turkish National Team in the EuroBasket Qualifying Tournament and averaged 27 points, 13 rebounds, and shot 72.7% from the field.
Center Teaira McCowan speaking to the media after training camp day two, May 1, 2023, Arlington, Texas (Photo/Lys Marquez)
She says the experience helped her learn more about herself and step out of her comfort zone.
“Being over there for eight months straight is hard, not everyone can do it but, figuring it out and getting out of my head really helped me have a great season overseas.
And her hardwork did not go unnoticed. McCowan signed to a multi-year deal with the Wings as she brought energy and grittiness at center last season.
Not only did this contract solidify her a spot on the roster but it also kept her closer to home.
“I was really excited to stay here because my family can come and watch me,” said McCowan. “It also speaks volumes to what I did last year when I came in. They believed in me and I bought into the organization. It feels good to be back.”
The Dallas Wings training camp will resume Wednesday for day three.
