Jessica Shepard's breakout season with the Dallas Wings doesn't surprise her or Paige Bueckers – spectrumlocalnews.com

Jessica Shepard’s breakout season with the Dallas Wings doesn’t surprise her or Paige Bueckers  spectrumlocalnews.com

Shepard is a first-time All-Star and sudden triple-double machine, tied with career WNBA leader Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix for the most this season. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jessica Shepard was a point guard before she grew into a 6-foot-4 forward, which is one of several reasons her breakout season with the Dallas Wings isn't a surprise to her or teammates, such as Paige Bueckers. Shepard is a first-time All-Star and sudden triple-double machine, tied with career WNBA leader Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix for the most this season with five while helping the Wings reach the playoffs. When she was exploring free agency in the offseason, Shepard saw a roster with two elite perimeter scorers in Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale and figured she could fit in.

The 30-year-old has done more than that, essentially doubling the scoring average from her first five WNBA seasons while joining Atlanta's Angel Reese as the only players averaging double figures in points and rebounds. Shepard is at 14.3 points and 11.1 rebounds going into Wednesday's regular-season finale at Seattle. “It’s not anything that I’m like, ‘Oh, wow, I’m doing something I didn’t think I could do,’” Shepard said. “No, I knew what I was capable of doing since I’ve been a pro. Just being in the right situation, having people around you that support you,