Up until the loss, Dallas had won two straight games after James was inserted into the starting lineup (in their matchup against the Golden State Valkyries, on June 17). Wings head coach Chris Koclanes told reporters after that game that he made the change to mix things up.
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Koclanes had removed five year guard/forward DiJonai Carrington from the starting lineup so that he could give James an opportunity to step up (Carrington is currently out with a rib injury). The team continues to make adjustments to find a winning formula through adversity, with players out due to both injury and overseas commitments.
“[Just having] conversations throughout with DiJonai and our team,” Koclanes said about the lineup switch. “[I] just felt like it was the right time to make a change and give Aziaha a look.”
Dallas has their dog
James was selected 12th overall by the Wings in this year’s draft — a surprise to many, including Wings executive vice president and general manager Curt Miller, who hadn’t expected her to fall so far. In her final season with the NC State Wolfpack, she averaged 17.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, playing a key role in leading the team to its 10th Sweet 16 appearance.
Immediately after being drafted, James told Curt Miller: “you got your dog.” It was a fitting introduction. Miller had envisioned building a team with toughness and a stronger defensive identity this season — and James has embodied that vision from the start.
Despite falling to No. 12 in the draft, the NC State standout has quickly become a key contributor as a starter for the Wings, making her presence felt on both ends of the floor. Known for her hard-nosed style of play, James has brought intensity, resilience, and a two-way impact that’s helped define the Wings’ early-season identity.
After the Wings’ 86–83 victory over the Connecticut Sun on June 20, James told reporters, “whenever my number is called, I’m ready.” That mindset, combined with her physicality and skill, is quickly proving why her slide in the draft was such a surprise and why she might be one of the steals of the class.
“[I have to] just give it up to my vets. I hit a lot of rookie walls and they helped me push through it,” she said.
Dallas has had a rough start to the season, as they are currently 12th in the standings. With a team full of young veterans and key rookie additions, No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, James and No. 27 pick JJ Quinerly the team is underperforming both internal and external expectations.
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Guard Tyasha Harris will be out for the remainder of this season after undergoing a surgery to her left knee. Forward Maddy Siegrist was diagnosed with an anterolateral tibial plateau fracture in her right knee on June 16 and will be out for an undisclosed amount of time.
The Wings are also without their two centers, Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCowan, while they play in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Tournament. In the meantime, the team will have to continue to move forward with the ‘next woman up’ mentality, and roll with the punches as they attempt to improve their record.
And all of this presents a big opportunity for James, who now has the space to build confidence and grow more comfortable playing with the first unit. She posted a career-high 17 points against the Sun, shooting an impressive 71.4 percent from the field, and she’s likely to break that personal record as her minutes grow and as she develops as a player. If things keep trending in this direction, James will be able to take some pressure off of Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale with her scoring ability combined with her defensive prowess. James is showing up, and the Wings need it.
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