<\/p>\n
Dallas Wings assistant coach Empress Davenport walks the court during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Dallas Wings assistant coach\u00a0Empress Davenport<\/a> has never played at the Moody Center.<\/p>\n She was more familiar with the Erwin Center<\/a> during her stint with\u00a0Texas women\u2019s basketball 2012-2016. Davenport\u00a0averaged<\/a> 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds for the Longhorns under head coach Karen Aston<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Actually, the Wings head coach Jose Fernandez, was more familiar with Moody; he spent 25 years as the head coach of South Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last time I was here, the only time I was here, we beat Texas (70-65),\u201d Fernandez said Sunday about a December 2022\u00a0matchup. \u201cSo I guess I\u2019m undefeated in this building.\u201d<\/p>\n Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forwards Alysha Clark (32) and Maddy Siegrist (20) celebrate a score during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims (1) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) jump for the ball at tipoff during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark (32) walks the court during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and guard Jewell Loys (24) celebrate a drawn foul during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) disputes a call with an official during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims (1) passes the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez disputes a call with an official during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings fan Joseph Casa holds up a sign during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) pushes past Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) directs her team during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) shoots the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) shoots the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) is guarded by Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter (23) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon directs her team during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces forward Stephanie Talbot (7) shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) wait for a free throw during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) walks the court during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark (32) pushes past Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner (21) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez directs his team from the sideline during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman The Dallas Wings take on the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings assistant coach Empress Davenport walks the court during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Fans cheer during the game between the Dallas Wings and the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (32) shoots the ball past Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman The Dallas Wings take on the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates a score during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) directs her team during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates a drawn foul during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) pushes past Dallas Wings forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (12) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) shoots the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark (32) shoots the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Dallas Wings guard Aziaha JAmes (10) protects the ball from Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter (23) during the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) reacts to a missed shot during the game against the Dallas Wings at the Moody Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n After graduation and a few years coaching at Lamar and UTSA<\/a>, Davenport returned to Austin as a member of the Ole Miss<\/a> coaching staff from 2024-2026.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But the impact and positive feeling of the Forty Acres has stayed with her. Especially when she returned with the Wings as an assistant coach for a WNBA preseason game Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces, when they beat the reigning champions, 101-84.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that I actually have an opportunity to be in the W and come back and coach here (Moody Center), it\u2019s actually surreal,\u201d she said pregame.<\/p>\n Texas guard Empress Davenport passes around Kansas State’s Shaelyn Martin during the first half on Feb. 17, 2016.<\/p>\n Deborah Cannon\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n Learning from a Longhorn<\/p>\n Davenport joins a Dallas Wings squad with a lot of new faces:\u00a0Fernandez is in his first year after 25 years at South Florida, the roster features veteran newcomers like Alysha Clark and Alanna Smith, and the 2026 WNBA Draft No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd<\/a>. But in her new role, Davenport is taking a page out of Aston\u2019s book.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cShe was super detailed in everything that she did. So, I think that I carried that with me,\u201d Davenport said.<\/p>\n When Fudd was done with pregame shootaround, she joined Davenport on the bench to go over some final things before the game, tablet and pen at the ready. Fudd is no stranger to putting in hard work, but the W is different, according to Davenport, because the small nuances of the game, such as how well a team executes out of a timeout, are important.<\/p>\n MORE: Ex-Marquette forward Jada Bediako becomes the newest Texas newcomer<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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