The Dallas Wings’ star, Arike Ogunbowale, is one of the WNBA’s most electric scorers. But even the best bucket-getters appreciate some help now and then, and it looks like she’s finally getting it. With rookie Paige Bueckers joining the Wings, Ogunbowale is already seeing a difference in how defenses react and how much space she’s working with.
After a dominant preseason win, she pulled back the curtain on how much easier her life on the court has become since the arrival of the college sensation, Bueckers.
Paige Bueckers’ Presence Is Making Scoring Easier for Arike Ogunbowale
The Wings wrapped up their preseason with a statement win, blowing out Japan’s Toyota Antelopes 119-52 on Saturday, May 10. Ogunbowale led the way with 17 points and six assists, but what stood out most was how effortlessly she got her buckets.
After the game, she opened up about what’s changed since Paige Bueckers and DiJonai Carrington joined the squad.
“First week of training camp and then the first preseason game, I think I wasn’t ready for how open I was,” Ogunbowale said. “But now I’m used to it because we have great players who are going to draw a lot of attention. I will get easy buckets. I think I got some very easy buckets today.”
Arike Ogunbowale speaks about getting easy shots playing with Paige Bueckers pic.twitter.com/H58etCKDCH
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo)
Ogunbowale has made a name for herself by creating tough shots. But with Bueckers and Carrington pulling defenders away, she’s finding herself wide open more often.
“I’m really excited about that just for the rest of the year,” she continued. “Obviously I’ll take my hard (shots) here and there, but that’s gonna be limited because players like Paige and DiJonai, and then our fours, their back-door passes. They’re gonna get me easy buckets and vice versa, so I’m excited about that.”
She backed that up on the court, shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and hitting four of her seven 3-point attempts.
Ogunbowale and Bueckers Give Dallas Fans a Preview of What’s To Come
Saturday also marked Bueckers’ home debut in a Wings jersey, and fans showed up big time.
“It’s amazing,” Bueckers said about the crowd. “The turnout, just the environment itself, they love women’s basketball here. To be able to start this season off with a great environment like this, to show out in front of Dallas, to feel that embrace for the first time, it’s been amazing.”
Paige Bueckers is feelin' the vibe out in Dallas 🔥
The rook put on a show for the home crowd:
15 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST pic.twitter.com/8jAxzogVja
— WNBA (@WNBA)
The 2025 No. 1 overall pick delivered too, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, and six assists. Her chemistry with Ogunbowale was already on display, as the two connected multiple times throughout the night.
The Wings open their regular season on May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx, and if Saturday’s showing is any preview, Dallas fans are in for a fun ride.