In a significant legal victory for the WNBA, Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale has had a battery charge against her officially dismissed, clearing the way for her to focus entirely on the upcoming season.
The charge stemmed from an incident on March 5 in Miami, where Ogunbowale was celebrating her Unrivaled Basketball team's championship. According to reports, she was arrested just before 4:30 a.m. at Club E11EVEN after allegedly punching a man during the festivities. The unidentified man reportedly fell to the ground after being struck, and the incident was caught on camera. Ogunbowale was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
However, following a court hearing on Wednesday, May 6, the charge was dropped. Her attorney, Mitch Schuster, expressed relief, stating, "We are pleased that the State Attorney's Office has exercised its discretion and elected not to move forward with this matter. Ms. Ogunbowale is a person of outstanding character, and we are excited that these charges have been dismissed so she can resume her focus on her professional career."
This news comes at a crucial time for the Wings, who kick off their season against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 9. Ogunbowale, a four-time All-Star and one of the league's most electrifying scorers, was drafted fifth overall by Dallas in 2019 and has been a cornerstone of the franchise ever since. With the legal matter behind her, fans can expect the dynamic guard to bring her trademark intensity back to the court—hopefully in a Wings jersey that's ready for action.
