Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith shares a laugh during a recent team session. Smith brings a veteran presence and a “disgustingly competitive” edge to a young Dallas roster looking to contend in 2026. (Photo: Mason Garcia | The Podium Finish)
ARLINGTON, Texas — Transitioning to a new franchise often requires a period of adjustment, but for Alanna Smith, the process of gelling with the Dallas Wings has been accelerated by a “disgustingly competitive” nature and a commitment to transparent communication.
The 6-foot-4 forward, who joined Dallas this offseason after a standout campaign in Minnesota, is expected to be a cornerstone of the Wings’ defensive identity. As the team prepares for its regular-season opener on May 9 in Indiana, Smith is already making her presence felt as both a physical rim protector and a veteran leader for a young, ambitious roster.
“It originates from me just being disgustingly competitive,” Smith said regarding her defensive prowess. “I just don’t like being scored on, and so that kind of motivates me to get stops.”
A Savvy Defensive Mindset
For head coach Jose Fernandez, Smith represents the type of versatile, savvy defender necessary to compete in an increasingly talented WNBA. While her physical attributes are evident, Smith believes the mental side of the ball is what separates the good from the great in this league.
“I think what makes a great defender is not only physical ability and effort, but it’s IQ,” Smith said. “Just knowing where to be at the right time, when to take risks, and just being smart about it.”
Alanna Smith (8) keeps a watchful eye on the floor during preseason action. Her defensive IQ and ability to “be at the right time” are key components of the Wings’ 2026 identity. (Photo: Mason Munn | The Podium Finish)
The chemistry between Smith and sophomore point guard Paige Bueckers has been an early bright spot for the Wings ahead of the 2026 season. Bueckers, the reigning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, noted that their connection on the court felt natural from the first day of training camp. The offensive synergy has been particularly efficient, with Bueckers finding Smith for high-percentage looks as they navigate Fernandez’s system.
“I’m really excited to work with Lan,” Bueckers said. “We kind of have an organic chemistry already through the first week of training camp and the first couple games, and she makes my shots when I pass it to her, so that’s exciting.”
Building a Player-Led Culture
While the on-court results are beginning to show, the work behind the scenes has been equally vital. Smith emphasized that the Wings have focused on building a culture of accountability that is not dictated solely by the coaching staff.
The transition from a “coach-led” environment to a “player-led” one is a primary goal for the 2026 season. Smith’s role as a veteran is to provide the “guidance and wisdom” that a core featuring Bueckers and Aziaha James needs as they enter their second professional seasons.
“Communication has been key for us, and I think being able to do it without judgment,” Smith said. “We all have come from different paths in life and basketball, and so we all have value to bring. I think what we do really well is that we respect what everyone has to say, and we listen, and we try and put it into action.”
Effective communication is a priority for Alanna Smith as she integrates into the Wings’ system. “What we do really well is that we respect what everyone has to say,” Smith noted of the team’s chemistry. (Photo: Mason Munn | The Podium Finish)
This lack of judgment in communication has allowed the Wings to integrate new pieces quickly. Despite the roster featuring several players who spent the offseason in different leagues or countries, the shared goal of championship contention has created an immediate buy-in.
“People come here to win,” Smith said. “The end goal is to win a championship, and I think we have the pieces to do that. It’s just about getting through a long season and learning how to play with each other and playing hard. So I think it’s going to be exciting.”
Connecting with the Dallas Community
The excitement is not limited to the locker room. The Wings are currently navigating a transition period regarding their facilities, with plans to move into a new practice facility and a new permanent home at the American Airlines Center in 2027. For now, the team remains focused on the present, feeding off the energy of a Dallas fan base that has shown up in force during the preseason.
Smith, who is still familiarizing herself with the DFW area, has been impressed by the noise and support at the College Park Center.
“I, obviously, am new here,” Smith said. “Every time I’ve played here against these guys, it’s been loud, they’ve been supporting really hard, so I’m excited to really get to benefit from that on this side.”
Fernandez’s coaching style, which Smith described as “tough-nosed” and “old-school,” has been another adjustment. The coach holds players accountable to a high standard, but he also keeps the atmosphere light when necessary. Smith recalled a recent team meeting where Fernandez had to perform a “boogie” after failing to get a team clap right, a moment that highlighted the growing bond between the players and their head coach.
“Jose did the clap wrong, and he gave us a little boogie,” Smith said with a laugh. “It was pretty good; I was actually pretty impressed.”
As the preseason concludes, the focus shifts entirely to the Indiana Fever and the start of the regular season. The Wings finished their exhibition schedule with a proof of concept regarding their defensive potential and offensive pace.
For Smith, the “early days” have provided enough evidence that Dallas is moving in the right direction. The results of the preseason games have mirrored the work done on the practice floor, where the team has engaged in “tough conversations” and constant communication to iron out the nuances of their defensive rotations and offensive timing.
Alanna Smith (8) of the Dallas Wings bring her hustle and grit not only on the court, but an open mind to embrace her new surroundings in the Dallas-Fort Worth sports market. (Photo: Mason Munn | The Podium Finish)
“You can see the results of it in our preseason games and how well we’ve been able to come together really fast,” Smith said.
The integration of a veteran like Smith is not just about the stats she provides, which included a 12-point, 7-rebound effort in the preseason finale at the Moody Center in Austin, but about the stability she offers. In a league where chemistry is often the deciding factor in the postseason, Smith’s ability to “respect what everyone has to say” while maintaining her “disgustingly competitive” edge makes her a perfect fit for the Wings’ championship aspirations.
With a deep roster that Coach Fernandez describes as getting even stronger with the return of key pieces like Arike Ogunbowale and Maddy Siegrist, the Wings have the depth to be dangerous. However, the success of the season will likely rest on the shoulders of the leaders like Smith and Bueckers to maintain the culture of accountability they have established in Arlington.
“We have a really great young core, but we also need some guidance and wisdom from older players who have experienced and seen everything,” Bueckers said of Smith’s impact. “They’ve done a good job just coming in and leading, and using whatever experience they have to help us grow as a team.”
As the Wings prepare for their season opener on the road against the Indiana Fever, they do so with a clear identity. They are a team that shares the ball, plays with pace, and, perhaps most importantly, refuses to be outworked on the defensive end.
For Alanna Smith, the new home in Dallas already feels like the perfect place to chase a title.
