Maddy Siegrist isn’t simply again with the Dallas Wings — she’s stepping ahead. Now getting 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 she or he’s utilizing that continuity to tackle a better management position.
As soon as the wide-eyed rookie from Villanova, Siegrist is now a gentle voice in huddles and a key piece of the Wings’ transformation below head coach Chris Koclanes. For a crew that’s motivated to enhance considerably from a 9-31 report whereas returning three gamers, Siegrist is keen to function a frontrunner.
“Final yr I actually took it upon myself to convey the crew in for huddles, attempt to be a little bit bit extra of a vocal chief,” she stated. “Little issues like that, I feel, 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 capturing 50.5% from the sector in 27 video games. That season was interrupted by harm, but it surely solidified her standing as a priceless 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 crew’s rebuild.
Constructing Confidence Via Athletes Limitless
Siegrist carried momentum into coaching camp thanks partly to a standout stint with Athletes Limitless, the place she took on new roles and thrived in opposition to elite competitors.
“AU was nice for me this yr, simply to have the ability to be in lots of completely different positions,” she stated. “Clearly to win it was a aim of mine, but it surely simply makes me really feel assured coming right into a season and simply attempting 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 bought expertise at every little thing,” she added. “It gave me lots of completely different appears and expertise. And it helped me perceive the place to be defensively too.”
Underneath Koclanes, Siegrist has been deployed at each ahead spots, the place her off-ball motion and capturing contact have change into pure suits 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 development for the Wings as they prioritize spacing round their younger backcourt. She’s typically emphasised a necessity to boost her share (27.0%) from deep, alongside along with her makes an attempt per sport (1.4) from final season.
“Undoubtedly targeted quite a bit on three-point capturing 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 Workforce Objectives
One of many largest storylines for Dallas getting into 2025 is the addition of No. 1 total choose Paige Bueckers — and Siegrist is already seeing the advantages of sharing the ground with the rookie guard.
“Simply even primarily based on in the present day — I bought lots of open pictures,” Siegrist stated throughout coaching camp. “She discovered me on cuts, on open threes. It’s thrilling to play with a degree guard like that, and a participant like that normally.”
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 among the finest 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. General, 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 lots of methods, embodies what we’re attempting 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 prepared to do no matter’s wanted. Off the court docket, she’s the primary to serve her group, and she or he’s the perfect teammate.”
With a extra polished sport, a safe contract, and a rising voice within the locker room, Siegrist isn’t simply attempting to construct on final yr — she’s aiming to guide Dallas someplace new.
“Clearly, I need to win — go to the playoffs, win a collection, win two collection, and finally win the entire thing,” she stated. “Simply persevering with to do no matter it takes and assist the franchise any means I can.”
The Dallas Wings open the common season on Might 16 in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx, offering a powerful speedy check for a new-look crew searching for vital enchancment. Siegrist is aiming to be a key think about that effort.
