Jessica Shepard says she nearly left the WNBA before All-Star breakthrough
The short version
- Jessica Shepard said she was 'ready to quit' the WNBA after a rough season in Minnesota
- Her break from the league was tied to WNBA prioritization rules and a contract in Italy
- In 2026 with Dallas, she has averaged 14.3 points, nearly 11 rebounds, and five assists
- Shepard earned a starting spot in her first WNBA All-Star Game
- Caitlin Clark has said she would love to have Shepard on the Fever
The Dallas Wings forward told Sue Bird she was 'ready to quit' after a difficult stretch in Minnesota before a season in Italy changed her outlook.
Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard says she came close to leaving the WNBA entirely before her breakout 2026 campaign, revealing in a conversation with Sue Bird that she was 'ready to quit' after a rough season with the Minnesota Lynx.
Shepard explained that her break from the WNBA was tied directly to the league's prioritization rules. Rather than return in time to meet the WNBA's deadline, she chose to honor a lucrative contract in Italy, prioritizing her health, a mental break, and financial stability.
Describing the low point, Shepard said she called her coach while 'in shambles' and told her she was ready to be done. The coach urged her to play one more year overseas, telling her that if she hated it after three months, she could come home.
Shepard signed with a team in Venice knowing the season there would run too long for her to return to the WNBA that year. After two years of rehab and a difficult return season, she said she feared burning herself out if she kept going without a pause.
She set a personal benchmark for the overseas stint: if she still hated basketball by the first FIBA break of the European season, she would go home and stay home. Instead, she said she ended up loving the experience, which set the stage for her return.
The decision has paid off in 2026. In her season with Dallas, Shepard has averaged 14.3 points, nearly 11 rebounds, and five assists per game, and her versatility and triple-double production earned her a starting spot in her first WNBA All-Star Game.
Her turnaround has drawn attention around the league. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has said she would love to have Shepard on the Fever, underscoring how far the forward's stock has risen since she considered walking away.
Shepard's story highlights the ongoing tension between WNBA prioritization rules and overseas contracts, an issue that has shaped roster decisions for many players in recent seasons.
Fans can watch Shepard and the Wings next when Dallas visits the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, September 27 at 9:00 PM EDT at Chase Center. The game airs on USA Network and CNBC.
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