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WNBA Season Preview 2019: 5 Rookie of the Year favorites

By Jasmyn Wimbish

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UNCASVILLE, CT – MAY 13: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of The Dallas Wings handles the ball against the Atlanta Dream on May 13, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT – MAY 13: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of The Dallas Wings handles the ball against the Atlanta Dream on May 13, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Arike Ogunbowale — Dallas Wings

After a stellar collegiate career at Notre Dame Arike Ogunbowale’s game is sure to transfer into the WNBA seamlessly. As she enters her rookie season she’ll have the green light with Liz Cambage now traded to Las Vegas and Skylar Diggins-Smith likely missing time from the starting lineup after giving birth. If there was any rookie to step up in a crucial spot for the Dallas Wings it would be Ogunbowale.

Her playmaking ability and efficient scoring will help the Wings in what has been a major adjustment period for them this offseason. Ogunbowale is a solid facilitator and has a patient approach with her scoring. She knows when to score in bunches and when to get her teammates involved. Single-handedly Ogunbowale likely won’t be able to match the production left behind by Cambage and Diggins-Smith, but she will fill the void slightly, and make it easier on her teammates who will also be called upon more with the recent changes to the roster.

In her senior season, Ogunbowale averaged 21 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds per game, while shooting 35 percent from deep. There isn’t a spot on the floor that she can’t score from, and she has a flair for the dramatics shining the brightest when the game is on the line. Don’t be surprised if by the end of the season Ogunbowale is the clear-cut favorite for Rookie of the Year.

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