Iowa basketball: Megan Gustafson performs well in WNBA debut
By Andrew Wade
Former Iowa basketball player Megan Gustafson’s journey to the WNBA hasn’t been easy but she finally made her debut Thursday night for the Dallas Wings.
2019 National Player of the Year Megan Gustafson’s journey to the WNBA has been quite public since her Iowa basketball career ended. First, she dropped to the second round of the WNBA Draft before being selected by the Dallas Wings, and then she was cut prior the season starting. She then made the decision to play for the Iowa United in The Basketball Tournament, the $2 million winner take all tournament.
Just a few weeks later, the Dallas Wings, decimated by injuries and ineffectiveness, decided to resign the former Iowa basketball player, and so far it’s been a successful second stint.
Gustafson has suited up for two games for the Dallas Wings, and although she has only played in one of those games, the Wings have won both contests.
Thursday night, Gustafson made her WNBA debut in her second game with the team in the regular season, and she looked like the Gustafson of old.
In just under ten minutes of play, Gustafson scored 4 points on 2 of 2 shooting from the field and collected 3 rebounds while dishing out 1 assist. Her plus/minus for the day was +1 and the Dallas Wings won the game 69-54 for their second win of the season. More importantly, Gustafson’s 9 minutes of playing time was more than one other Wings player and were the second most minutes she has seen with the Wings in the regular season or preseason.
Tonight, Megan Gustafson and the Dallas Wings are back in action when they take on the Las Vegas Aces at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For Gustafson, after a solid first game of real playing time, she needs to continue to build on the momentum to ensure she keeps a spot in the rotation when Dallas’ injured and overseas players return.