Its not exactly common for a player who falls to the third round of the WNBA Draft to lead their team to victories as the leading scorer during their rookie season -- but don't tell that to former WVU women's basketball standout and current Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly.
Quinerly has already made some noise this season with the Wing (5-13), demonstrating that she could be a partial solution to their struggles so far this summer. And it seems every time she gets an opportunity, Quinerly is ready to drive home that point further.
The Wings captured just their fifth victory in 18 games this season on Saturday as they defeated the Washington Mystics 79-71, and it's fair to say that they wouldn't have pulled off the win without Quinerly's massive efforts. The rookie guard and former West Virginia Mountaineer centerpiece was given her biggest opportunity yet as she started her first career WNBA game and played 33 minutes -- a dramatic increase from her previous career-high of 19 minutes.
She made good use of that time, securing a career-high 15 points --tying Aziaha James as the team's leading scorer in the game -- while also adding a career-high four rebounds and tying her career-best with four assists.
JJ Quinerly had a NIGHT.
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) June 29, 2025
⭐️ Career high in PTS
⭐️ Career high in REB
⭐️ Tied career high in AST@childrens | #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/mvRllxLpMt
The Wings could use more of these performances from Quinerly, if she continues to receive the chance -- Dallas currently sits in last place in the Western Conference and three spots behind the cutoff for the eight-team WNBA playoffs with just over two months remaining in the regular season. It's certainly not too late for a turnaround, and Quinerly could provide the spark.