Many wondered during the Dallas Wings’ offseason who would rise to the occasion after the dynamic in the locker room changed with multiple free-agent additions. Jessica Shepard has proven that she can do just that during this recent stretch of games, as she has played some of the best basketball of her career.
The 29-year-old has been one of the Wings’ most potent weapons. Shepard’s output this season sees her averaging a career-best 12.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game over ten games.
On Friday, the Wings picked up a 104-96 win over the LA Sparks. This was undoubtedly needed for Dallas to continue its winning momentum. Shepard was one of the major reasons for the win, as she tied her career-best night with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the matchup. With this, she joined some elite company with a truly incredible stat.
According to the WNBA, Shepard became just the second player in league history to average at least 10+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists through a season’s first ten games.
The only other player to accomplish this feat is the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas.
Shepard achieving such a feat after joining Dallas in the offseason shows just how special of a talent she has been for the Wings. The 6-foot-4 forward is continuing to build on her stellar start, and it will be fascinating to see how far she can go this season.
Shepard has only missed scoring in double figures in two games this season. Without her production, Dallas would have had a tougher go of it against some of the league’s top teams.
Paige Bueckers Has High Praise for Jessica Shepard’s Impact
Dallas Wings superstar Paige Bueckers had high praise for Jessica Shepard amid her breakout season, pointing to her elite court vision and basketball IQ.
“I think rebounding is a really underrated aspect of basketball in terms of winning and how much that drives winning,” Bueckers said via Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “She has great court vision and IQ. Her ability to score in the paint and get to the rim at will. She creates so much for us. Defensively, she can guard one through five.”
Bueckers then discussed why Shepard’s presence gives her confidence. She credited Shepard’s skills, but also her motor, which is so obviously her best asset.
“I don’t have to bring the ball up every single time when you have her. Having her is very reassuring, and it gives you a lot of confidence in the half court,” she added.
Shepard was a second-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2019 WNBA Draft. After spending five seasons with the Lynx, where she provided solid minutes off the bench, she is now having a career-best season with the Wings. Each game, she just keeps getting better, and she should be a real candidate to make her first WNBA All-Star team this season.
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