Early-season setbacks for Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith have prevented fans from seeing her full potential on the team’s new-look roster.
The Wings identified the reigning co-defensive player of the year as one of their top offseason targets. But through seven games played for 5–3 Dallas, Smith has averaged 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.1 steals.
“We signed Alanna for a reason. There’s so many things that go into someone’s performance,” Wings coach Jose Fernandez said of Smith ahead of the contest with the Aces last week. “She’s very hard on herself and she cares and she’s a winner.
“So what she’s going through right now and having to play with a mask …I think she needs to be shown some grace.”
Smith is set to return Monday night for the Wings’ home contest against the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. The game will mark Dallas’ first of the annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“She’s a competitor. She just wants to win,” Bueckers said. “…She carries a huge, huge presence on this team defensively and being our anchor and being our communicator and our leader that way. Basketball is so much more than made or missed shots and how many points you score.
“But to have her on the floor, there’s a lot of stuff that you don’t see behind-the-scenes.”