The Dallas Wings have reportedly re-signed Arike Ogunbowale, who is their all-time leader in points, to a multi-year deal to return to the team and continue to build chemistry with All-Star and the reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
Ogunbowale was eligible to receive a $1.4 million supermax contract, according to WNBA reporter Grant Afseth. The four-time All-Star decided to take less in order to give the Wings’ General Manager, Curt Miller, and the rest of the front office flexibility to continue building out their roster for next season.
“I’ve been here since I was drafted, so it’s like my second home now. I live here,” Ogunbowale told Dallas Hoops Journal in September. “I try to give back to the city what they give to us every night. Win, lose, or draw, they’re in the stands cheering us on. I just want to be present and show that I appreciate them any way I can.”
Meanwhile, Miller spoke about Dallas being a great market last season. “Dallas is a great market for players to build their brands and lives, with no state income tax, making salaries stretch further,” Miller told Dallas Hoops Journal last August. “It’s a factor players and their agents have to consider because of how much extra money it puts in their pockets.”
Miller is clearly referencing that Dallas, Texas, doesn’t have a state income tax, allowing players to keep more of their income and avoid paying Uncle Sam.
The Wings Have Also Added Jessica Shepard To Their Roster
On Friday afternoon, ESPN’s Alex Philippou reported that the Dallas Wings signed former Minnesota Lynx forward Jessica Shepard to a multi-year deal. Per Philippou, Shepard played five seasons in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. Averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game off the bench in 2025.
If you are not familiar with Shepard, she was the player her new teammate, Paige Bueckers, was caught on a mic calling out during a road game in Minnesota between the Wings and Lynx for traveling every time she touched the ball to game officials.
“Hey! Fifteen travels every time she touches it!”
Paige Bueckers has also been vocal about wanting to recruit players to Dallas, which Miller shared last season.
“Paige wants to be involved in recruiting players to Dallas. Arike also initiates free agency conversations with me,” Miller told Dallas Hoops Journal. “It’s exciting that your two best players consistently want to talk future.”
Wings Also Re-Signed Forward Awak Kuier Following Two Seasons Overseas
It has also been reported that the Dallas Wings have re-signed forward Awak Kuier after she spent two seasons overseas in Europe, according to Khristina Williams. Kuier is returning to the WNBA as a totally different player than the 19-year-old prospect that was sent overseas to develop following the 2023 season. She returns as a EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year Finalist with Galatasaray, and the Finnish center averaged 12.8 points. She also led the league in blocks and shot 40.9% from behind the arc.
