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2018 WNBA Draft: Dallas Wings go big with Azura Stevens

By Jasmine Baker

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: poses for a portrait during the WNBA Draft on April 12, 2018 in New York, New York at the Nike New York Headquarters. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: poses for a portrait during the WNBA Draft on April 12, 2018 in New York, New York at the Nike New York Headquarters. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX—The Dallas Wings recently became the lone WNBA team in the Lone Star State. The Houston Comets dissolved in 2008 and the San Antonio (Silver) Stars left this season to gamble in the Las Vegas market.

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“We only need one,” proclaimed Wings guard, Skylar Diggins-Smith. “I wish we could put the Houston Comets banners in our gym, they deserve somewhere to hang. We welcome all Houston and San Antonio fans!”

Diggins-Smith was in high spirits Thursday evening at the College Park Center as the Wings hosted their daft party with fans.

In March the Wings announced they were signing their 2011 pick in center Liz Cambage, one of the most decorated international players in the league.

“Liz is a triple-threat player who can shoot, pass and defend inside the paint extremely well,” said Wings head coach Fred Williams. “She will provide a strong inside-out threat that I think will be very exciting for our fans and the league, but she’s also a great addition to the culture we’ve built the last few years in Dallas. I can’t wait to start the 2018 season with the team we’ve put together.”

2018 Dallas Wings Draft Picks

With Cambage expected to carry the Wings to the 2018 WNBA Playoffs, the team drafted plenty of help entering their third season:

  • Azura Stevens was drafted 6th overall by the Wings. She averaged 14.7 ppg, 2 blk and 7.4 reb per game during her career at Duke and Uconn. The fourth–year junior passed on her last year at Uconn to declare for the draft. She should expect to get plenty of playing time this preseason in order to familiarize her with the Wings offensive system. At 6’6, she becomes an immediate defensive threat especially with Cambage in the frontcourt.
  • Loryn Goodwin was the second round draft pick for the Wings. She led the Big 12 in scoring with 19 ppg, despite transferring to four different programs during her career. Goodwin brings depth to the Wings bench, considering her overall skillset led her to average 6.3 reb, 5 ast and 3.3 stl per game at OSU.
  • Natalie Butler rounded out the Wings draft with additional size at 6’5”. The George Mason center averaged 11.2 ppg and 9.9 reb. She also played for Uconn from 2014-17, winning a national title and a trip to the Final Four.

A Family That Plays Together

All three picks have athletic family ties:

Stevens – Sister, Da’Shena, played basketball at St. John’s and later became an assistant coach there.

Goodwin – Cousin, Marquise Goodwin, plays for the San Francisco 49ers.

Butler – Father, Vernon, played basketball at Navy leading them to the NCAA Elite Eight. He’s the the second all-time in Navy history in points and rebounds.

New Look, New Wings

The organization continues to not only grow its roster but its corporate partnerships. The team dropped its latest jersey since the league switched from Adidas to Nike. Their partnership with American Fidelity for the past two seasons will now be considerably more prominent as they’ll be placed on the front of the Wings jerseys.

“We are excited to launch this partnership with the Dallas Wings,” said American Fidelity’s President and COO Jeanette Rice. “To work with a like-minded organization committed to improving the quality of life for the community is a great fit for American Fidelity. The impact the Wings bring to communities they touch is something we are very proud to support.”

Catch the Wings on Fox Sports Southwest this summer starting May 20.

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