ARLINGTON, Texas (Aug. 29, 2025) — The Dallas Wings announced Friday the signing of guard Christyn Williams to an extreme hardship contract, while forward Amy Okonkwo has been re-signed to a second seven-day hardship deal. Both players will be available for Dallas’ matchup against the Atlanta Dream on Friday night at Gateway Center Arena.

The signings come as the Wings continue to battle through a wave of injuries that has thinned the roster during the second half of the season. With Paige Bueckers, JJ Quinerly, Arike Ogunbowale, Tyasha Harris, and Luisa Geiselsöder all sidelined, Dallas has leaned heavily on hardship players to fill critical roles.

Williams Returns to the WNBA Stage

For Williams, the move marks a return to the WNBA three years after she was drafted. Selected 14th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, her professional career was immediately derailed when she suffered a season-ending knee injury before playing a game.

She resurfaced in 2023 with the Phoenix Mercury, logging limited appearances, before signing a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx earlier this year. Though she did not make the final roster in Minnesota, Williams kept her game sharp through Athletes Unlimited Basketball, averaging 7.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in the 2025 season, and by competing in the 3×3 Basketball Association (3XBA) this summer in Spokane. There, she teamed up with current Wings players Serena Sundell and Amy Okonkwo, giving her a familiarity with parts of the Dallas roster even before her signing.

A standout at the University of Connecticut, Williams enjoyed a decorated collegiate career. She played four seasons under Geno Auriemma, including two alongside current Wings rookie Paige Bueckers. In 2022, she was awarded the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard and helped the Huskies to three Final Four appearances during her tenure.

Now healthy and with a chance to prove herself at the professional level, Williams offers Dallas scoring ability from the backcourt and a high basketball IQ forged at one of the nation’s premier programs.

Okonkwo Making Immediate Impact

While Williams is just joining the team, Okonkwo has quickly made her presence felt in Dallas. Signed on Aug. 22, the forward has been one of the brightest surprises of the late-season stretch. Through her first three games, she is averaging 11.3 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 56% from the field and 36% from three-point range.

Her production has increased with each outing:

• 8 points in her Aug. 22 debut vs. Seattle

• 12 points on Aug. 24 vs. Golden State

• 14 points against Connecticut on Aug. 27

That consistency places Okonkwo in rare company. She is just the third undrafted player in the last 20 seasons to average at least 11.3 points per game across her first three WNBA contests. Her scoring punch has been invaluable for the Wings as they search for offensive stability with several starters unavailable.

Building Through Adversity

The Wings’ reliance on hardship contracts underscores the difficulty of navigating the season amid mounting injuries. Yet, it also reflects the franchise’s willingness to give overlooked or rehabbing talent opportunities to shine. In Williams, Dallas adds a guard with pedigree and untapped potential, while Okonkwo’s emergence is quickly becoming one of the league’s feel-good stories.

As the Wings (9-30) continue their late-season road swing, the duo will look to provide energy, depth, and scoring against an Atlanta team battling for playoff seeding. For Williams, Friday marks the start of a long-awaited second chance, while for Okonkwo, it is an opportunity to continue her remarkable early run.

Up Next: The Wings face the Atlanta Dream on Friday, Aug. 29, with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.