Poughkeepsie’s Maddy Siegrist has “exciting” offseason, leading into third WNBA season

Maddy Siegrist froze for a moment, then her hands began to shake, overwhelmed by a medley of emotions.

“That was it,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more nervous.”

Or happier. That was last October, a few weeks after the Dallas Wings’ season ended, when her boyfriend proposed.

“At the draft, there isn’t as much tension because you have an idea where you’re getting picked,” Siegrist said, comparing her two most memorable selections. “I was hopeful of getting proposed to, but I had no clue when or how it would happen.”

Advertisement

And so began for her a winter during which the Poughkeepsie native heard “congratulations” more times than she ever has. And that’s saying something.

Sorta like high school: Siegrist enjoying breakout second year with WNBA’s Dallas Wings

Draft night: Poughkeepsie’s Maddy Siegrist selected 3rd overall by Dallas

Motoring on: Poughkeepsie’s Sam Peek joins Pistons for NBA Summer League

Because, following the engagement, she went on to dominate Athletes Unlimited, a professional women’s basketball league comprised mostly of WNBA players competing during their offseason.

The 6-foot-2 forward set records there and was crowned the league’s champion. That followed a sophomore season with the Wings in which she made significant strides and flourished for a stretch.

Advertisement

There also is her friendship with Knicks star Jalen Brunson, the two Villanova University icons having forged a relationship.

And then on Monday, her WNBA team cashed in its No. 1 overall pick by drafting former UConn superstar Paige Bueckers.

“Yeah,” Siegrist said with a chuckle, “it’s been a really interesting offseason for me.”

It might be a thrilling summer, too.

In Bueckers, the Wings got a talented combo guard who potentially forms a prolific backcourt tandem with all-star Arike Ogunbowale. But, they’ve also got a household name, fresh off a storybook NCAA championship run, who carries with her a considerable fanbase.

Her cachet and star power could help bring more attention to the Wings and the WNBA, whose ratings and attendance skyrocketed last year in part because of Caitlin Clark’s allure.

Advertisement

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Siegrist said of the league’s growth, which facilitated the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team.

“Any time you have great, popular players with huge followings, it’s a benefit to the league,” she continued. “We saw it last year with Caitlin, Angel (Reese) and Cameron Brink. It started with the women who came before us and paved the way when there weren’t nearly as many fans. But it’s awesome to see how much it’s grown just in my short time here.”

The Wings, who open their season hosting the Minnesota Lynx on May 16, likely will be among the teams of interest spotlighted by the league. Their first meeting with Clark’s Indiana Fever will be June 27 in Dallas.

Advertisement

Siegrist was one of its most improved players last year, almost tripling the scoring average from her rookie season. The former No. 3 overall pick took advantage of increased playing time, averaging 14.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game before a broken finger sidelined her for two months.

“I thought I’d just jammed it and stayed in the game,” the Our Lady of Lourdes High School grad said of the June 21 injury. “Then, after all the testing, I found out I needed five pins in there.”

Hers was among a spate of injuries that contributed to the Wings finishing 9-31.

But, it was Brunson who reached out and put Siegrist in touch with the surgeon who operated on his broken hand a month earlier.

Advertisement

“We don’t have anyone else in the WNBA,” Siegrist said of Villanova basketball alums, “so I’m incredibly lucky to have a connection with some NBA players who are part of the ‘Nova family.”

There is a mutual respect, of course, as Siegrist shattered records for the Wildcats and in 2023 became the Big East’s all-time leading scorer, men or women. (Granted, Siegrist joked, their struggles against conference rival UConn kiboshes any bragging rights against Bueckers.)

The finger healed, and she returned to the Wings in August, but her minutes were reduced considerably, and she scored no more than 12 points in any of the remaining games.

Advertisement

But, “feeling totally fine” after additional months of recuperation, Siegrist competed for a second year in Athletes Unlimited and showcased an expanded arsenal. Coupling her perimeter shooting skills with improved strength to drive and finish through contact, she averaged 24 points per game in the four-week season.

She accrued a league-record 7,052 points, based on their leaderboard system, and finished 457 ahead of Los Angeles Sparks veteran Odyssey Sims for the title.

“Efficiency is always important,” said Siegrist, who has shot 50.6% from the field in two WNBA seasons. “But I also want to expand by getting stronger and more mobile. That’s something I showed a little in (Athletes Unlimited).”

Advertisement

She was “more intentional” about strength training and flexibility during her offseason training, she said, lifting weights three days a week and following in Ogunbowale’s footsteps with routine Pilates sessions.

“I made some progress last year,” she said, “but I need to take a bigger leap offensively, defensively and as a leader.”

The Wings made changes in their front office, hired a new coaching staff and overhauled the roster. They returned only three players, and former all-star Satou Sabally was one of the veterans dealt in a massive four-team trade. That, perhaps, clears a path for Siegrist’s role to expand.

Advertisement

Among the players Dallas added in that package were guard DiJonai Carrington, an all-defense standout, and forward NaLyssa Smith.

Bueckers, of course, should bring them a lot more than marketability. The 6-foot rookie, Siegrist said, “can distribute the ball and, because she’s such a talented scorer, the defense can’t help off her. That makes us harder to guard. We might be dangerous offensively.”

Siegrist described new head coach Chris Koclanes as an X’s and O’s guru, and she already has spent time this offseason working with his sister, assistant coach Belle Koclanes, who lives nearby in Philadelphia.

“We’ve added some great pieces, and I think our ceiling is high,” Siegrist said. “Short term, we’re just looking forward to building chemistry in camp, and then long term we want to make the playoffs this season.”

Advertisement

In the longer term is her ongoing wedding planning. Siegrist is marrying Stephen Perretta, the son of former Villanova women’s basketball coach Harry Perretta. Stephen now is an assistant at Drexel University, so they’ve got to coordinate nuptials around their busy basketball schedules.

For the inquisitive readers: They’re considering dates in fall 2026.

“There’s been a constant buzz throughout the offseason and so many exciting things going on,” Siegrist said. “But the engagement has to be at the top of my list. Our future looks bright.”

Wings fans might be thinking the same.

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: WNBA: Maddy Siegrist talks engagement, offseason success and Bueckers