The Dallas Wings will open the 2023 season against the Atlanta Dream on May 20th at College Park Center in Arlington!
Dallas – in Dallas Suites perfect! Coach Latricia Tramell has announced the rest of her coaching staff, including two WNBA and college stars, who will join her in her quest for a WNBA championship in DFW this coming season.
First, meet the newest assistant coaches: April Schilling and Courtney Paris. They will join previously announced assistant coach Brandi Paul.
Assistant coach April Schilling
Schilling has stopped at every level of basketball, most recently serving as head coach with Bella Vista College Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“It is a blessing to unite with Coach Trammell. I hope to be a contributing member of this group as we strive for excellence,” Schilling said of joining the Wings.
Schilling was part of the Nigerian Women’s Basketball Olympic Team squad in 2021 and made her WNBA coaching debut in 2020 when she joined the Indiana Fever as an assistant coach. Prior to her coaching career, she played at the collegiate level with the legendary Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee, helping the team advance to three sweet 16 appearances and two Final Fours.
Schilling then transferred to UCSB where she helped lead the program to the first Sweet 16 appearance in program history.
As a professional player in the WNBA, Schilling has spent time with three teams, namely the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, and Washington Mystics.
“I have always admired April’s relentless drive to coach and teach the game of basketball,” Trammell said. “She has experience at all levels of basketball and is an elite coach when it comes to the Xs and Os of the game. She will bring tremendous insights to our team and I am thrilled to welcome her to Dallas.”
Assistant coach Courtney Paris
If Paris looks familiar, that’s because she was a star at the University of Oklahoma and the team’s all-time leader in points and rebounds. She became the first female NCAA player—regardless of gender or division—to accumulate 2,500 career points and 2,000 rebounds.
Paris was the first four-time Associated Press, USBWA All-American, and USBWA All-American in women’s college basketball history.
In the 2009 WNBA Draft, Paris was selected seventh by the Sacramento Monarchs. During her 10-year career, she had stints with the Tulsa Shock and Dallas Wings, before ending her career with the Seattle Storm where she won a championship in 2018.
When she retired from the league in 2020, she returned to her alma mater, where she spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach.
“I am very fortunate to have someone like Courtney join the staff, as she brings a wealth of experience from the professional and collegiate ranks that will greatly benefit our players,” Trammell said. “Her resume as a player speaks for itself and I can’t wait to watch her grow as a coach and educator here in Dallas. I know our team will look to her as an invaluable resource.”
Paris shared the sentiment and is excited to be a part of her former squad.
“I’m thrilled to be back at the Dallas Wings. This team keeps getting more exciting… I really look forward to this summer and helping this team reach its full potential.”
Player development coach Zach Poncic
Trammell announced Tuesday that Zach Poncic will return as the Wings’ player development coach.
This will be Punchik’s second season with the team.
“We’re excited to have Zack back in the Wings family,” Trammell said. “He brings a fresh perspective to our staff and I know our players trust and respect his training and developmental systems. I look forward to working with Zach to help our team take the next step in becoming a championship team.”
Prior to joining the Wings, Buncik ran a skills development business where he worked with all levels of basketball players, including NBA and WNBA stars. He was also a member of UT-Arlington’s men’s coaching staff, with the team having the most winning streak in program history from 2008-2018.
Strength and conditioning coach Preston Smith
Another Wings employee returning for a second season: strength and conditioning coach Preston Smith.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside Preston and having him continue his fantastic work with our players, to ensure they can always compete at their best level on and off the field,” Trammell said.
The Dallas Wings will open the 2023 season against the Atlanta Dream on May 20 at College Park Center in Arlington. Season tickets and single match tickets can be purchased here.