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The 2024 WNBA rookie class has received no shortage of attention. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were two of the most popular players in college, and that has continued into the WNBA. Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale recently addressed the rookie class and how their initial WNBA experience compares to her rookie season.
“I would say it's about the same,” Ogunbowale said of the transition to the WNBA between her rookie class and the 2024 rookie class, via SportsCenter. “My first year, I struggled in the first month, I would say just because the defense is much harder. They're playing 18-20 year olds in college and then you're playing 22-year-olds to 40.”
Arike Ogunbowale understands that the rookie class is talented. She also knows that talent alone will not necessarily lead to success at the highest level of women's professional basketball.
“So it's a big range and they know basketball. A lot of it's not really skill a lot of it's mental. They know how to bait you into a foul. They know how to do a lot of smart stuff that you might not know. I knew it was going to be tough for them. Obviously a lot of people have seen those great players do college, they're like ‘it's going to be easy.' It's not, because these are grown women that have been playing basketball. This is their career, this is their life.”
So does it get easier? Ogunbowale says no, but there is hope for the rookies nonetheless.
“It's not easy, but they will get used to it,” Ogunbowale continued. “Like it's not easy now but it gets better… It gets better, it doesn't get easier. Because you get better.”
Arike Ogunbowale: ‘It gets better, it doesn't get easier'
Ogunbowale, 27, is currently in her sixth WNBA season. She is a three-time All-Star who is averaging 27.1 points per game so far in 2024.
Ogunbowale knows what it takes to find success in the league. She has continued to improve throughout her career. In fact, She is currently averaging the most points per game of her career, as well as the most assists (5.1), rebounds (4.6), and steals (3.0) per game of her career.
It is still obviously early in the season. Nevertheless, Ogunbowale is performing at an elite level so far.
The 2024 rookie class would be wise to listen to her words. Having talent is important without question. But it doesn't always translate immediately to the WNBA. As Ogunbowale mentioned, there are plenty of veterans in the league who know how to out-smart their opponents on the floor.
Arike Ogunbowale does that on a consistent basis. As a guard, she is often making plays for both herself and her teammates. And it all comes down to knowing how to win.
The Wings are 3-5 as of this story's writing. The team has dealt with a plethora of injury concerns and a difficult schedule to begin the year, however. Ogunbowale has done a tremendous job of helping to keep Dallas afloat.
The Wings were most recently defeated by A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces 95-81. Dallas is looking to jump back into the win column with a victory on Friday night against the Los Angeles Sparks.
