After the Los Angeles Sparks’ thumping win against the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers’ team was out of the WNBA 2025 playoff race, but they have yet to let everything go. The team announced on Tuesday that it is giving a fresh shot to a familiar face by signing rookie guard Serena Sundell to a seven-day hardship contract.
The latest move comes as the Wings scramble to fill roster gaps after a brutal season-ending ACL injury to rookie guard JJ Quinerly, leaving them with a shorthanded squad. Despite not having any playoff aspirations, the latest news came as something positive for the young roster.
Wings Sign Serena Sundell On Hardship Contract
While the league is moving towards an exciting playoff, that’s not something the Wings are proactively looking at. However, Quinerly’s injury has forced Paige Bueckers’ updated role for the team. And just like that, Sundell will soon suit up to the requirement.
For the rookie, it’s a second chance to prove herself in the WNBA, and it would be interesting to see what the 6-foot-2 Kansas State standout can bring to the table. Sundell, the 26th overall draft pick from the Seattle Storm in the 2025 WNBA Draft, had an unfortunate first step in the league. The Storm waived her even before the season kicked off.
The Dallas Wings have signed guard Serena Sundell to a seven-day hardship contract.
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 26, 2025
Sundell will be available for Wednesday’s game against the Connecticut Sun. pic.twitter.com/hgHGwG1ZWp
While keeping her college resume in mind, it’s a tough cut. At Kansas State, she was a superstar, racking up a school-record 811 assists and earning two First-Team All-Big 12 nods plus an AP All-American Honorable Mention in 2025. Her final college season saw her averaging 14.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting a slick 50.1% from the field.
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That kind of playmaking and size at the guard spot makes her a perfect fit for a Wings team desperate for depth. Additionally, the Wings, sitting at a rough 9-29 and out of playoff contention, are facing multiple injuries. Alongside Quinerly, they’re missing Arike Ogunbowale, Li Yueru, and Tysha Harris, forcing them to lean on hardship contracts like Sundell’s and Amy Okonkwo’s.
Serena Sundell Will Start Against Connecticut Sun
While the opportunities await her, Sundell’s ready to step up. She will be available for Wednesday’s game against the Connecticut Sun at College Park Center. With Bueckers now handling primary ball duties post-Quinerly’s injury, Sundell’s passing and court vision could ease the load.
🚨: The Dallas Wings have signed guard Serena Sundell to a seven-day hardship contract.
— Posther Hoops (@postherhoops) August 26, 2025
Sundell will be available for Wednesday’s game against the Connecticut Sun. She was selected 26th overall in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm.
(🤳: dallaswings ) pic.twitter.com/GQQ3x76lcu
This could very well be a golden chance for Sundell to show she belongs. She had to face a Storm waiver, but that’s not uncommon in the WNBA’s cutthroat roster battles. Only 20 of the 38 players from the 2025 draft are still active.
Additionally, her college stats scream potential, and at 21, she’s got time to grow. For the Wings, it’s about survival and scouting for next year. Sundell’s addition, alongside other stopgap moves, shows they’re not giving up despite the rough season.