Arike Ogunbowale has agreed to a multiyear extension with the Dallas Wings, Stefanie Dolson is coming home to play for the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks traded Gabby Williams to Seattle for Katie Lou Samuelson and the Storm’s ninth pick in the draft in a flurry of transactions and moves in the WNBA on Thursday.
Ogunbowale, 24, has averaged 19.9 points per game since being drawn fifth overall in 2019.
“We were proud to offer, and excited that Arike agreed to, a multi-year contract extension to remain with the Dallas Wings organization through at least the 2025 season,” Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb said. “Arike has been one of the most prolific offensive players in the WNBA since she entered the league in 2019 and has delivered a top-caliber start to her career.”
Dolson, 30, joined the Liberty after helping the Chicago Sky win the championship last year. Dolson, who grew up and played high school basketball in New York State, averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.6% from the field and 94.7% from the free throw line.
“Stef is the definition of New York strength,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome back her hometown status as an essential piece of the Liberty’s future success. She is an incredibly talented player, and her experience, toughness and size will only add to our offense.” .
Williams helped France win the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics last summer. She was traded in 2021 from Chicago to Los Angeles before the start of the season. The trade also frees up money for the Sparks to pursue free agents.
In another transaction, the Atlanta Dream re-signed forward Monique Billings. Billings was selected in the second round of the draft by Atlanta in 2018 and has averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
“We’re very excited to see Mo continue to grow in a Dream uniform,” said general manager Dan Padover. “She works extremely hard and brings a ray of positivity to every room she walks into. The way Mo says present every day is the exact kind of passion we want this team to have, and we know her motivation will continue to facilitate success within and off the court for herself and for this franchise.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ogunbowale Receives Extension; Dolson home in NY