Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale Set for New Chapter with Paige Bueckers

Dallas, Texas — Arike Ogunbowale enters the 2025 WNBA season with a mix of excitement and anticipation as the Dallas Wings prepare for their home opener against the Minnesota Lynx. This season marks a significant transition for Ogunbowale, a seasoned veteran and two-time All-Star MVP, as she navigates a new team dynamic with the arrival of No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers.

Ogunbowale, 28, has been the Wings’ primary offensive force since she was drafted fifth overall from Notre Dame in 2019. However, the addition of Bueckers and several talented free agents brings a fresh energy to the team. “It’s dope. It’s about time,” Ogunbowale said. “Dallas has always been a great place, a great city, a great basketball city,” highlighting her excitement for the upcoming campaign.

In 2023, Ogunbowale led the Wings to the WNBA semifinals, but last season took a toll on the team’s morale, culminating in a disappointing 9-31 record. Ogunbowale averaged 22.2 points per game, but the team’s struggles prompted a necessary rebuild, which included changes in coaching staff and management along with the signing of Bueckers.

Despite the previous year’s challenges, Ogunbowale has stayed focused and committed to the Wings. “I’m very confident in myself,” she stated, crediting her parents for instilling a strong work ethic in her. This resilience has earned her a prominent position in the franchise.

Wings CEO Greg Bibb witnessed Ogunbowale’s potential from her first practice. He remarked, “She belongs here. She fits in right away. She looks like she is a WNBA player.” Over the years, Ogunbowale has become the face of the franchise, a role cemented by her achievements including the scoring title in 2020 and multiple All-Star selections.

As the Wings shift gears with Bueckers on board and an overall revamped roster, Ogunbowale’s role will evolve, but her determination is unwavering. “I want to do something that hasn’t been done. They haven’t won a championship,” she reflected on her loyalty to the organization since it relocated to Dallas.

The Wings’ future looks promising, with a significant increase in fan interest thanks to Bueckers and an impressive off-season. “She’s a hooper through and through,” new teammate DiJonai Carrington noted, emphasizing Ogunbowale’s standing within the team.

With the support of a star-studded lineup and a focus on building chemistry, Ogunbowale and the Wings are ready to embrace new challenges. “This is a new era in Dallas. Let’s get it!” she added, optimistic for the season ahead.

The Wings tip-off their season at 6:30 p.m. Friday at UT-Arlington’s College Park Center, marking the beginning of what promises to be a memorable season.