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Through two starts with the Dallas Wings in the WNBA, No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers is averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. But the Wings are 0-2, and fans believe that Bueckers could be contributing far more if not for star teammate Arike Ogunbowale.
Ogunbowale has established herself as a star in the league. The former Notre Dame guard is a four-time WNBA All-Star and was named first-time All-WNBA in 2020, a year in which she was not named an All-Star. But through two games in the 2025 season, she is just 6-of-26 (23.1 percent) from the field, and many fans believe that she needs to get Bueckers more involved.
paige: “arike I’m wide open in transition!”
arike: pic.twitter.com/6pOnA78P4u
— kimberly. (@problemsthots) May 20, 2025
Paige Bueckers And Dallas Wings Coach Chris Koclanes Speak On Arike Ogunbowale
One of the biggest issues appears to be that both Bueckers and Ogunbowale are better with the ball in their hands as primary playmakers.
“We’re learning, we’re growing, we’re all learning as a team and growing as a team,” Bueckers said postgame. “We’re not really focused on, as much as it’s exciting to play with Arike in the backcourt and she’s one of the premier players in the league, we’re trying to grow as a team, and we’re not focused on any duo, trio, whatever.”
Wings coach Chris Koclanes, who is his first season with the team, said that Ogunbowale needs to find more ways to affect the game when she’s not scoring.
“(We) Just continue to coach her, and empower her to continue to be aggressive while also still playing within our structure, and really finding ways to impact the game when she’s not scoring,” he told media members after Monday night’s loss to the Seattle Storm. “I think that’s a growth opportunity for her. The more she can continue to impact the game, even when the ball’s not going in, the more she’s going to help this team.’
Dallas went just 9-31 a year ago, which is how it landed Bueckers and the No. 1 pick in the draft. So it’s not surprising to see the Wings struggle early in 2025. But if things are going to turn around long term, the Wings need to get Ogunbowale and Bueckers on the same page.