WNBA’s Most Valuable Franchise Dallas Wings Revisits a Decade-Old Dark Chapter as 6x All-Star Unearths Hardships

In basketball, every highlight reel is backed by countless hours of unseen hard work. For the Dallas Wings, now the WNBA’s most valuable franchise, their rise is no different. The flashy victories and star-studded roster we see today were built on a foundation of sweat, grit, and perseverance. Recently, 6x All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith opened up about the team’s early struggles when they were still the Tulsa Shock. Her story is both tough and inspiring, raising the question: Could the Wings’ current success have happened without those difficult days?

Speaking on ‘Unapologetically Angel’, her YouTube podcast, Diggins-Smith revisited her time with the Tulsa Shock. “But yeah, I did, I did,” she began. “We were in Tulsa, like I said. Eventually, Tulsa was known as the Dallas Wings now. And so when we moved, we were able to have more resources.”

She described the staggering lack of infrastructure during those formative years: “But like, we didn’t even have a weight room for two years. You know, like, I was a part of that W when it was really in the growing stages—where we stayed, how we moved, how we traveled. We didn’t have a ton of stuff.”

Imagine a professional basketball team, known for its high-caliber athletes, without access to basic training facilities. For Diggins-Smith, who averaged an impressive 16.5 points and 5.2 assists per game throughout her career, these circumstances were far from ideal. Yet, she thrived, becoming a beacon of hope for a team searching for stability.

Diggins-Smith’s individual accolades speak to her resilience and undeniable talent. A 6x All-Star, 4x All-WNBA First Team member, and 2024 AP Comeback Player of the Year, she consistently delivered despite the odds stacked against her.

Her career averages—16.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds—are a testament to her consistency and leadership, even during those trying Tulsa years. While the team struggled to find its footing, Diggins-Smith’s performances hinted at the potential of what the franchise could become.

From Tulsa to triumph:  Dallas Wings overcoming its struggles

The franchise’s relocation to Dallas in 2016 marked a turning point. With the move came improved resources, facilities, and infrastructure—everything they lacked in Tulsa. The weight rooms Diggins-Smith once dreamed of became a reality, and the team began to attract elite talent, setting the stage for its rise to prominence.

The transformation wasn’t immediate, but the seeds planted during those early struggles began to bear fruit. As Diggins-Smith noted, “When we moved, we were able to have more resources.” The Wings’ success today is deeply rooted in lessons learned during their formative years.

Today, the Dallas Wings represent not just success but also the evolution of the WNBA. From the struggles of the Tulsa Shock to becoming one of the league’s top-valued franchises, their journey is a story of growth against all odds.

For Diggins-Smith, her time with the team remains a pivotal chapter in her career. Her stories are more than just memories—they serve as a reminder of the perseverance needed to elevate women’s basketball.

As fans celebrate the Wings’ current success, it’s important to remember the road they took to get here. Without the struggles of Tulsa, there might be no Dallas Wings—a powerhouse franchise built on a foundation of resilience and determination.

Every buzzer-beater starts with a dribble; every champion has a story. The Dallas Wings show that in basketball, it’s not where you start but how you rise.