Alexa Philippou
Multiple Authors
Four-time WNBA All-Star Arike Ogunbowale is signing a seven-figure, multiyear deal to return to the Dallas Wings, sources informed ESPN on Friday.
Ogunbowale was prolonged a core qualifying supply by the Wings earlier this week, making her eligible for the $1.4 million supermax in 2026, however she is taking lower than that for the workforce to have the ability to construct a high quality roster round her, sources mentioned. She is dedicated to the franchise and metropolis that drafted her No. 5 general in 2019 out of Notre Dame.
The Wings have the No. 1 choose in Monday’s collegiate draft. With new coach Jose Fernandez on the helm, the Wings will look to return to the playoffs with a gaggle led by Ogunbowale and 2025 No. 1 choose Paige Bueckers.
During her time in Dallas, Ogunbowale has been a three-time all-WNBA choice, main the league in scoring in 2020 and incomes two All-Star Game MVP honors.
The 5-foot-8 guard averaged a career-low 15.5 factors alongside with 4.1 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per recreation in 2025 because the Wings completed final within the standings and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive 12 months. Prior to final season, Ogunbowale had established herself as one of many WNBA’s most prolific scorers and dynamic offensive gamers, averaging at the very least 18.7 factors per recreation in every season of her WNBA profession.
Ogunbowale gained an Unrivaled championship with Mist B.C. in the course of the WNBA offseason.
Jessica Shepard, Ogunbowale’s school teammate with whom she gained a nationwide championship, has additionally agreed to affix the Wings on a multi-year deal, sources informed ESPN.
Shepard beforehand performed 5 seasons within the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx, who drafted her within the second spherical in 2019.
The 6-foot-4 ahead averaged 8.0 factors, 7.3 rebounds and a couple of.6 help per recreation off the bench in 2025.
