July 24, 2020
The Dallas Wings will rely on their young veterans
By Drew Ivery
Moriah Jefferson, Isabelle Harrison both key to the plan
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Dallas Wings forward Isabelle Harrison (20) Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones (35) and Dallas Wings forward Glory Johnson (25) battle for rebounding position during the WNBA game between the Dallas Wings and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on September 04, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss
With the 2020 season just around the corner, Dallas sits yet again with one of the youngest rosters in the league, though those young players aren’t afraid to step up and lead.
Players like Moriah Jefferson and 2019 Comeback Player of the Year Isabelle Harrison are among those looking to have that type of presence on the team in every way.
Harrison averaged 8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals last season, contributing at both ends. But the Wings forward is looking to do more off the court, too.
Earlier this month Harrison took leadership of the Dallas Wings’ social justice initiative, the #iAM campaign, which was just one of the ways she wanted to show she has had this mindset to be a leader.
“I’ve always played on young teams and I’ve always been one of the youngest, but now it’s crazy to see that I’m a vet now,” Harrison said this week. “Only at 26. That doesn’t really happen now, but to prepare myself, I started overseas. It can’t start when you get into the bubble or even when we were doing stuff away from this. I had this mindset going into overseas that I wanted to have this presence with this team coming into the season.”
Dallas Wings. Photo credit: Dallas Wings Twitter page
Last season Dallas had a down year, failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, finishing with a 10-24 record. However, that mark, plus offseason deals, landed them three of the first seven picks in the 2020 WNBA draft: Satou Sabally, Bella Alarie and Tyasha Harris.
“I’m really excited for the rookies,” Harrison said. “They’re great, you guys. I can’t wait for everybody to see us. I think we’re a really energetic young group, so people gotta be ready.”
Dallas’ new point guard, Jefferson, is also trying to establish herself as a leader on this team herself in the 2020 season. With Skylar Diggins-Smith no longer in the fold, it’s Jefferson’s show.
“I’ve had some experience in the league, obviously been out with injuries and things like that, but just being that person on the court that can set ourselves up to make the right play at the right time,” Jefferson said. “Obviously having Arike on the ball a lot, she’s starting to get double-teamed and triple-teamed. So for me it’s gonna be getting into that paint area and dishing to my teammates, making sure they can be as successful as they can be. Make sure I’m bringing that leadership on and off the court.”
Jefferson has talked about “listening to her body” to ensure she’s healthy for the season and not overstepping boundaries, which she had in the past, so that she stays 100 percent.
Her movement in these clips of scrimmaging looks fluid, but only time will tell if she is fully healed. That test begins with Dallas’ first game of the season, against the Atlanta Dream, on Sunday July 26 at 5 p.m. EST.
