By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist has established herself as a core foundational piece for the organization as they go through a rebuild.
Siegrist was the No.3 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft and has dealt with an anterolateral tibial plateau fracture in her right knee that kept her out of the lineup for nearly two months this season.
She made her return to game action on Aug. 5 and recently took back over her starting role in the lineup.
Although the Wings are enduring an underwhelming season with a 9-26 record, Siegrist’s stellar play as of late has been a major bright spot.
“Maddy Siegrist tied her career-high with 22 points in a win over the Fever on Tuesday, then set a new career-high with 23 points in a loss to the Aces on Sunday. Injuries derailed her season again, but she’s quietly averaging 11.8 points and 4.6 rebounds — both career-highs — on 50.6% shooting in 17 appearances. She looks like a legitimate part of the Wings’ young core moving forward,” CBS Sports contributor Jack Maloney wrote.
Siegrist has also proved to be an admirable fit alongside rookie sensation Paige Bueckers in the limited games the two have played together.
Bueckers has scored in double figures in every professional game she’s played in and has lived up to the hype of being the first overall pick.
According to WNBA legend Candace Parker, the former UConn star should be the favorite to win WNBA Rookie of the Year this season, as Bueckers has consistently showcased her high basketball IQ and all-around game.
“Back in July, Paige became the first player in WNBA history to total 350 points, 100 assists in the first 20 games of their career,” Parker said. “And so Paige is having herself a season. I think it’s just a matter of her being on the court, is what all of us want to see. So this could be interesting. I think I give the nod to Paige Bueckers for Rookie of the Year, but Sonia, make me change my ways.”
With a 6-2, 175-pound frame, Siegrist is a relentless offensive rebounder and can score the ball on all three levels of the floor. She is also a plus defender that has the ability to switch on smaller, twitchier guards if needed.
As the Wings look to the future, Siegrist’s versatility and growing impact on both ends of the floor make her a cornerstone in the franchise’s ongoing rebuild.
However, fans have grown restless with the leadership of a Wings team that had high hopes heading into this season, as fans could be heard behind the bench chanting “We want Nola!” in reference to assistant coach Nola Henry.
Wings head coach Chris Koclanes seems to be handling the criticism with poise and an attitude of self-improvement.
“I’m going to be my harshest critic and I’m going to look in the mirror every single day and figure out how I can be better, Koclanes said.
After a home loss to the New York Liberty on Aug. 8, Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen confronted a fan wearing a “Nola For Head Coach” shirt, asking for their continued support of the team and Koclanes.
“I understand. Well, we want to do well, too,” Hines-Allen said to the fans. “We can hear all the outside noise! You know we didn’t start the season off well, we’re not playing how we should be playing. But we need the fans to support us! [And that shirt] isn’t supporting us, though. Because at the end of the day, Chris is still our head coach. We still need him.”
As the growing pains of a tough season continue, and despite the noise, Koclanes continues to lead with humility and a focus on getting better each day.
