Maddy Siegrist isn’t simply again with the Dallas Wings — she’s stepping ahead. Now coming into her third WNBA season, Siegrist finds herself in a brand new place. With Dallas present process a full roster transformation, she’s one in every of only a few returning gamers — and he or she’s utilizing that continuity to tackle a better management function.
As soon as the wide-eyed rookie from Villanova, Siegrist is now a gradual voice in huddles and a key piece of the Wings’ transformation underneath head coach Chris Koclanes. For a staff that’s motivated to enhance considerably from a 9-31 file whereas returning three gamers, Siegrist is raring to function a frontrunner.
“Final yr I actually took it upon myself to deliver the staff in for huddles, attempt to be slightly bit extra of a vocal chief,” she stated. “Little issues like that, I believe, do make a distinction — whether or not you’re profitable, whether or not you’re shedding, simply persevering with to remain collectively.”
It’s a continuation of the progress she made throughout a breakout sophomore marketing campaign, the place she averaged 9.4 factors and three.3 rebounds whereas taking pictures 50.5% from the sphere in 27 video games. That season was interrupted by harm, nevertheless it solidified her standing as a invaluable piece of the Wings’ core. Dallas confirmed as a lot this offseason, selecting up Siegrist’s fourth-year contract choice and making her a foundational determine within the staff’s rebuild.
Constructing Confidence Via Athletes Limitless
Siegrist carried momentum into coaching camp thanks partially to a standout stint with Athletes Limitless, the place she took on new roles and thrived towards elite competitors.
“AU was nice for me this yr, simply to have the ability to be in loads of completely different positions,” she stated. “Clearly to win it was a purpose of mine, nevertheless it simply makes me really feel assured coming right into a season and simply making an attempt to construct off of that.”
The expertise gave her a wider lens — and a deeper toolkit.
“In AU, I performed one by 5, so I received expertise at all the pieces,” she added. “It gave me loads of completely different seems to be and expertise. And it helped me perceive the place to be defensively too.”
Below Koclanes, Siegrist has been deployed at each ahead spots, the place her off-ball motion and taking pictures contact have change into pure matches within the Wings’ new read-and-react system.
“I like the cuts, I like the learn and react,” she stated. “I’m simply excited to be part of it.”
Siegrist spent a lot of the offseason sharpening her three-point shot — a key space of progress for the Wings as they prioritize spacing round their younger backcourt. She’s typically emphasised a necessity to boost her proportion (27.0%) from deep, alongside along with her makes an attempt per recreation (1.4) from final season.
“Positively centered quite a bit on three-point taking pictures and simply being extra constant, assured, knocking that down,” she stated. “That’ll be a key piece for us this yr.”
Chemistry Forming with Paige Bueckers and Crew Targets
One of many largest storylines for Dallas coming into 2025 is the addition of No. 1 general decide Paige Bueckers — and Siegrist is already seeing the advantages of sharing the ground with the rookie guard.
“Simply even based mostly on immediately — I received loads of open photographs,” Siegrist stated throughout coaching camp. “She discovered me on cuts, on open threes. It’s thrilling to play with some extent guard like that, and a participant like that usually.”
Protection stays a key space of emphasis for the Wings, who ranked close to the underside of the league final season in a number of classes. For Siegrist, the presence of gamers like DiJonai Carrington has helped reinforce day by day defensive habits.
“DiJonai might be probably the greatest defenders within the league, and having somebody like that in your ear—and in everybody’s ear—is big,” she stated. “That’ll be large for us all yr.”
How Maddy Siegrist Units the Tone for the Dallas Wings
Koclanes has singled out Siegrist’s impression as a tone-setter on and off the ground. Her effort on the offensive glass has stood out considerably, particularly when stepping up in small ball lineups. Total, she’s been an efficient downhill attacker in coaching camp, displaying a complementary skill-set that may be enhanced taking part in subsequent to a backcourt consisting of Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
“Maddy, in loads of methods, embodies what we’re making an attempt to domesticate right here as a corporation and as a brand new workers,” Koclanes stated. “She competes like loopy. She doesn’t take performs off, does all of the soiled work, and is keen to do no matter’s wanted. Off the court docket, she’s the primary to serve her group, and he or she’s one of the best teammate.”
With a extra polished recreation, a safe contract, and a rising voice within the locker room, Siegrist isn’t simply making an attempt to construct on final yr — she’s aiming to guide Dallas someplace new.
“Clearly, I need to win — go to the playoffs, win a sequence, win two sequence, and in the end win the entire thing,” she stated. “Simply persevering with to do no matter it takes and assist the franchise any manner I can.”
The Dallas Wings open the common season on Might 16 towards the Minnesota Lynx, offering a robust rapid take a look at for a new-look staff searching for vital enchancment. Siegrist is aiming to be a key consider that effort.
