ARLINGTON, Texas — She’s a competitive force and made history in college basketball.
Dallas Wings player Lou Lopez Senechal’s journey to the WNBA began at just eight years old.
The Mexican-French player, born in Guadalajara, Mexico, is the first Mexican-born player to be drafted into the WNBA. Senechal, whose father is Mexican, lived in Mexico until the age of five. When her parents divorced, she and her French mother moved to France.
“Trusting the journey was big to me,” Lopez Senechal said. “Every step led to something new for me.”
Her journey has allowed her to experience new countries and new cultures. Lopez Senechal moved to Ireland in high school, where she attended North Atlantic Basketball Academy. She played collegiate basketball for the Fairfield Stags and was named MMAC Player of the Year as a Senior. In her fifth year, she played for the Uconn Huskies of the Big East Conference.
Her career took a turning point in 2023 when Lopez Senechal was drafted into the WNBA in the 1st round as the 5th overall pick.
“It was a very proud moment for me and for my Mexican family,” Lopez Senechal said. “They’re all very happy, very proud of me.”
Lopez Senechal was surprised to learn she was the first Mexican-born player in the WNBA.
“To be honest, I didn’t know it was gonna be a thing,” Lopez Senechal said. “It meant a lot, I hope not to be the only one.”
These days, she stays connected to her roots through annual visits to see her family in Mexico. Whether she’s on or off the court, Lopez Senechal keeps family at the center. Family dinners and reunions keep her grounded.
“We love meeting at my grandma’s house and being there the whole day playing some board games,” Lopez Seneshal shared. “It’s really all about seeing my family and feeling like home again in the city where I grew up, the streets that I know, the restaurants. Those little things are pretty big to me.”
It’s those little moments that prepare her to shop up for big moments on the court. Lopez Senechal recognizes the WNBA is having a moment.
“It’s been great. People are finally realizing women athletes are just as impressive as other athletes,” Lopez Senechal said. “It’s very rewarding, and I feel especially happy for the ones who have been in the league long before this. I think it’s just awesome to see throughout the years the evolution.”
While she may be the first Mexican-born player in the WNBA, she certainly hopes she won’t be the last.