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Dallas Wings announce training camp roster

By Ben Dull

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Liz Cambage of Australia shoots during the Women's Semifinal Basketball match between Australia and New Zealand on day nine of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Convention Centre on April 13, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Liz Cambage of Australia shoots during the Women's Semifinal Basketball match between Australia and New Zealand on day nine of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Convention Centre on April 13, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Wings began training camp with 16 players on its roster. While they await the return of Liz Cambage and Kaela Davis from overseas play, second-year players and rookies alike will be locked in serious competition for roster spots.

The Wings made the biggest splash of the offseason, re-signing Cambage to a multi-year deal. The 6’8 center last played in the WNBA in 2013 with the franchise while it was still in Tulsa.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Allisha Gray is just one of five members of the team’s 2017 draft class. That group also includes Breanna Lewis, Evelyn Akhator, backup point guard Saniya Chong and Davis.

The 2018 class includes No. 6 overall pick Azura Stevens out of UConn. Oklahoma State point guard Loryn Goodwin was selected 18th overall in the second round, and forward/center Natalie Butler was selected with the 30th overall pick out of George Mason.

Ruth Hamblin, the 20th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft, will also be in camp with the Wings. She logged 130 minutes in 20 games as a rookie in the 2016 season.

Team co-captains Karima Christmas-Kelly and Skylar Diggins-Smith return on the perimeter along with third-year guard Aerial Powers. Diggins-Smith made her second All-WNBA Team in 2017, and was the first athlete featured in the league’s ‘Watch Me Work‘ ads for the 2018 season. Christmas-Kelly re-signed with the team after being designated as their core player this offseason.

Related Story: Diggins-Smith back to All-Star form

Glory Johnson and Kayla Thornton combined to give the Wings 40 minutes of solid two-way play at the four spot, and would slide up to the five spot in smaller lineups. Per a team release, Johnson will be limited in her participation after undergoing a minor medical procedure.

Theresa Plaisance will continue to rehab a torn ACL suffered back in October. She started 25 games for Dallas last season, and re-signed with the team as a restricted free agent this offseason. Though the Wings are eager to re-integrate Cambage, they will miss the element Plaisance brought to the team with her ability to pull opposing bigs out beyond the three-point line.

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