DiJonai Carrington, a dynamic player in the WNBA, is ready to showcase her skills and leadership with the Dallas Wings after being traded from the Connecticut Sun. Known for her passion both on and off the court, Carrington actively advocates for issues like racial justice and gender equity, particularly focusing on representation for Black women.
At 27, Carrington is stepping into this new phase with enthusiasm. She expressed eagerness about her fresh start in Dallas, energized by the opportunity to collaborate with new teammates. “I’m just ready to get out there,” she stated ahead of the Wings’ season opener.
Carrington’s athletic journey began in San Diego, influenced by a sporting family. With a stellar high school basketball career, she made a name for herself by scoring over 2,000 points and receiving prestigious invitations to events like the McDonald’s All-American Game. She proceeded to Stanford, where she not only excelled on the court, contributing to two Pac-12 titles, but also cultivated her voice in activism through her double major in psychology and African and African American studies.
Ever since her time at Stanford, where she discovered her passion for advocacy in a class focused on African American women’s lives, Carrington has been a staunch voice for equality and representation. She demonstrated her skills at Baylor during her final college season, earning awards like Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, yet she lamented that the pandemic prevented her from experiencing the vibrant energy of Texas basketball fans.
In the professional realm, Carrington was chosen 20th overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft and blossomed into one of the league’s top two-way players. Her pivotal 2024 season showcased her talents, winning the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award and earning All-Defensive honors.
Now thrilled to play for the Dallas Wings, Carrington is eager to build a new legacy while calling for better conditions for players across the league. “Everyone deserves that—no matter the market,” she emphasized.
Beyond basketball, Carrington is also making strides in business and media. She is featured in Reebok’s revival of its basketball line and will appear in the upcoming Netflix docuseries “Power Moves” alongside basketball legends like Allen Iverson.
This season, Carrington aims to make her impact on both the court and within the community. She is a founding member of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league that aims to create more opportunities for WNBA athletes. As the season progresses, her vision for the Wings centers around creating a lasting positive impact while striving for team success.
With an inspiring mission and unstoppable drive, Carrington is poised to make a significant mark in Dallas, both for herself and for the future of women’s basketball.