Cover Feature

Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings Forward Flying High in her WNBA Career

Photo courtesy of Dallas Wings

Selected by the Dallas Wings in the 2023 WNBA draft, Maddy Siegrist was the third pick in the overall draft. Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, NY, Siegrist attended Villanova University, where she became the all-time leading scorer in history for both men and women basketball. From the NCAA to the WNBA, Siegrist continues to bring her talent into every game.

Siegrist grew up surrounded by sports. Her parents were both Division I athletes at Marist. Her father George played basketball and her mother Ginna was a varsity cheerleader. Siegrist’s father then went on to coach the Marist basketball team of which her earliest memories are from, having attended Marist games since the small of age of six months. Siegrist is also the oldest of four siblings, where everything became a competition, so much so that playing one-on-one with any of them became banned in the driveway when she was in the fifth grade. “[With] having a brother George, one year younger, everything we did was who could run the fastest, who could make the shots,” said Siegrist.

Siegrist became involved in Catholic Youth Organization, CYO basketball, while also competing in soccer, softball and track. Siegrist’s parents loved whatever she did, but family affairs were non-negotiable. With all the practices and games that filled Siegrist’s schedule, she was never allowed to miss family functions for a sport. Looking back at it now, she is thankful for her parents’ constant support rather than forcing her to play. “It was always me who wanted to go to the gym and that made me love the sport more,” Siegrist explained.

In the seventh grade, after making the “B” team, she decided to focus on basketball. Siegrist knew basketball was something she wanted to do and was focused on making the varsity team at Our Lady of Lourdes High School as a freshman. “I decided that if I wanted to be good at basketball, I would have to work a little harder,” she said. “Every day after school I’d play in my driveway to start training.” Growing up, Siegrist’s height was always a factor when being told to play basketball. Her father, however, made sure to tell her that people would always be taller than her and that her focus should be concentrated on being able to shoot, dribble and pass.

Hard work paid off and it was time for a big change—a naturally overwhelming one. After the tough decision to leave school and declare for the draft, Siegrist recalls feeling nervous even with knowing that she was going to be drafted somewhere. “When you are in the room, you keep thinking, ‘are you going to get picked?’ But once you hear your name called, it’s just a deep breath,” Siegrist said. “I kept thinking whatever it’ll be, it’ll be, but having a great support system really helped.” From there, Siegrist recalled her favorite career moment being the first time she heard, “Maddy Siegrist, Villanova University,” at her first WNBA game.

During Siegrist’s move from the NCAA to the WNBA she adapted by being a sponge and learning as much as possible. She was inspired by the different stories and experiences of the players from the WNBA, such as those who had success as soon as they arrived, to those who didn’t see it until later in life. “Just because you don’t have success right away, does not mean you won’t get it,” Siegrist said. For Siegrist, her success has been both on and off the court as she has also volunteered her time to inspire and host clinics for youth in Poughkeepsie, Breezy Point and Philadelphia.

Siegrist continues to progress in the WNBA, getting more comfortable as time goes by. During a rookie year, a player’s life is completely changed with the transition from the NCAA, a new team, uprooting your life and moving somewhere unfamiliar. “As we see it now with all great players, rookie year is tough. You play an entire college season on top of the world and within two weeks, you become an adult,” Siegrist said. Getting comfortable comes with more experience and for Siegrist, that means playing at the top of her game.

Siegrist does her best to pass her newfound knowledge with new rookies. She knows firsthand how the newcomers feel with the change they suddenly experience. “I make sure to always be in their ear, telling them to have patience. I tell them ‘Nothing is as big as you think it is, and with how many games we play, you can’t dwell on it for too long.’” Something she is always reminding them of is to, “continue to do what you are supposed to do, that’s when you get results you want.” This proves true even more so when setbacks arise and with every good athlete, there’s always a few. Siegrist is experiencing an injury now, to which she’s leaned into her support system while going through this difficult situation. While recovering from an injury, Siegrist continues to run, bike and shoot with her non-injured hand. She is also taking the time to watch more film. After the Olympic break, she is focused on getting back on the court, which also shows the rookies she means every word she says.

The popularity in the WNBA has undoubtably risen. Siegrist says the talent has been there for so long and that the league has been built by so many great players. “Seeing the popularity from last year’s March Madness to this year’s tournament, watching women’s basketball carry over with so many eyes on the WNBA league, it’s great and I think it’s about time,” Siegrist said. “I am really fortunate to be part of a women’s sport and the WNBA.”

The growth of the WNBA has been a huge step for women’s sports and there is still room for improvement. From charter flights to expansions and more coverage with increasing viewership has been great for the longevity of the league. “We hear about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. These conversations are great. People were not having them five years ago about WNBA players, Siegrist said.

For fans of all ages to see women’s sports flourish is inspiring, most importantly for the young fans. After the games, Siegrist loves seeing the young fans waiting for autographs or a pair of sneakers that she gives away after games. “Whenever I see little kids, it reminds me of going to see New York Liberty games when I was young. Siegrist always takes time for the young fans, as she was once one a couple of years ago.”

For the young girls looking to pursue basketball, Siegrist tells them to have patience and focus on being the best version of themselves day to day.

Women’s sports are on the rise so be sure to tune in to games this season. To catch Maddy Siegrist and the Dallas Wings team, visit wings.wnba.com/schedule.