The Dallas Wings are onto the WNBA semifinals for the first time in franchise history since the Wings relocated to Dallas in 2016. Fresh off of a sweep in Arlington, dispatching the Atlanta Dream comfortably, the Wings now set their sights on the reigning champs and top-seeded Las Vegas Aces in Game One in Sin City on Sunday.
We still rollin’ ✨ pic.twitter.com/OmdYjicr1C
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) September 20, 2023
Every win, the Wings hand out the Drip Chain, given out by Head Coach Latricia Trammell to a player that had a special impact on the game and was pivotal in the victory; in arguably the biggest game in Wings’ franchise history, third-year forward Awak Kuier donned the chain in the team’s postgame picture.
Drafted 2nd overall in 2021 by Dallas, Kuier was still the youngest player on the roster this season, despite playing alongside a handful of rookies.
“Honestly, I don’t even think of myself as the youngest player anymore,” says Kuier matter of factly.
“At the end of the day, my goals are the same as a vet… I can do more and I can do what they do, so even though I’m younger, I don’t really see it that way. I don’t really think about it and I don’t even really feel that I’m younger,” says Kuier with a laugh.
Kuier has a mindset that transcends her relative youth, no doubt a benefit to her. While her box score this season may not appear all that different than her first two in the league, the difference in her game over the past month or two has been palpable; she makes decisions a little faster. She’s more fluid attacking off the dribble. The theoretical versatility on defense is becoming actualized as her feel for the game on that end has improved.
What’s made her growth all the more impressive is that she’s grown through a more difficult developmental situation. Minutes and a role have not been guaranteed, making it more consistent opportunities to rep out and work on her craft in-game uncertain. However, over the back end of this regular season, Kuier carved out a larger chunk of minutes with multiple smaller injuries keeping out parts of Dallas’ frontcourt.
Got to go back through and watch Lynx/Wings round 2
Shoutout to Awak Kuier in her first career start. Wings didn't get the win, but cool to see her make an impact in a bigger role
Still some rawness to her offensive game, but she's making strides
AND STEP THROUGH!!! pic.twitter.com/n5mVBjIxb6
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) August 26, 2023
“Being able to play defense has opened up so many opportunities for me; if you play defense, you get more minutes,” says Kuier proudly before laughing that that holds especially true playing for Coach Trammell.
Kuier brings defensive versatility in droves, something that drew Trammell to her as soon as she took the job. With those opportunities earned through her defense, energy, and presence on the glass, Kuier has been able to showcase the work she’s put into her game.
Adapting to the physicality of the league, what Kuier feels has been her biggest adjustment the past three years, has started to come to fruition. She’s more comfortable playing through contact now. She’s been able to start using her speed and quickness to her advantage on either end against larger bigs.
Kuier’s early W career highlights that it takes time to develop; every context and environment isn’t built to help a young player succeed. Every team is competing, roster spots are scarce, and you have to bring something significant and consistent to the table to get chances.
“I have a mindset where I’m almost waiting for opportunity… If I’m kind of waiting for it and I’m always locked in and ready and looking for it, when I do get the opportunity, I’m already ready, because mentally I’m like ‘okay, this is my moment, here I go.’ it’s just keeping a positive mindset and knowing the opportunity will come,” says Kuier.
Playing overseas in Italy with her club Umana Reyer Venezia, Kuier has a much larger and different role. She started last season, playing nearly 28 minutes a game, averaging 13.1 points per game and playing more at the four, shooting over 40% from three on volume during the Italian Serie-A league play.
Development within a larger role with more usage doesn’t always necessarily translate to success again in a different league with a different role. Yet, the growth in Kuier’s game is tangible in her opportunities.
“When you realize you’re in situations that maybe two years ago, you wouldn’t have done so great. Now, I feel like I’m more confident and it’s easier for me to do things. I think that’s when I see the growth the most,” says Kuier.
Kuier’s central goal and pursuit: To get better and keep developing.
She doesn’t want to put a cap on herself and her potential. Every year, she wants to feel that she’s making strides in her game and feel like she’s genuinely developing.
The bright flashes of potential in her game are becoming more consistent stretches. Part of what’s so fascinating about Kuier’s game is that she doesn’t fully have a position; she plays all over the frontcourt. This is the first year in the W where that’s felt like an advantage for her rather than a hinderance to more playing time.
Awak Kuier’s performance in arguably the biggest game in Dallas’ history showcased the strides she’s made figuratively and literally on the court. For a team that has an equally bright present and future, she’s making her mark, adding a legitimate presence to perhaps the deepest team in the league and remaining in the playoffs. As the Wings seek to upset the reigning champs, carving out a path to the Finals, continued steady impact from Kuier could play a significant factor off the bench for Dallas.
