Dallas Wings Training Camp Day 3 Recap: Paige Bueckers Sets Championship Standards, Azzi Fudd Excels And 5-on-5 Takeaways

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez ran the team through a defense-heavy practice for Day 3 of training camp on Tuesday at College Park Center. The team now heads into their first scheduled off day on Wednesday, following a day that left them feeling positive about their progress.

Fernandez, veteran guard Grace Berger, second-year guard Aziaha James, and center Li Yueru all spoke to reporters after practice. Championship standards, the shift in focus toward defense, and the chemistry forming between returners and new faces all came up in nearly every media session.

Here are the key takeaways from Day 3.

Jose Fernandez: ‘A Sign of a Good Day’

Day 3, Fernandez said, was the day he most wanted to see how his group would respond. They delivered.

“I’ve lost my voice a little bit. It’s Day 3,” Fernandez said. “This was the day where I was really thinking about how they were going to come out and work, and I think that’s a sign of a good day. It was a very good day.”

Dallas is off on Wednesday. Fernandez said he’ll get a real read on what camp has built to this point by how the group comes back Thursday.

“They’re off tomorrow, so now it’s about how they come back physically, mentally, and emotionally after that first off day,” Fernandez said. “We’ll see what we’ve built over these first three days from a standards and preparation standpoint when we get to Day 4. But it was really good. You look back at Day 1, Day 2, and we’re progressively getting better each day. That’s the expectation. Every practice, every possession means something. There’s value in every single one.”

The standards Fernandez is installing, he said, aren’t negotiable at the professional level.

“No one should ever question your effort as a pro. No one should ever question how you communicate and talk to one another, how you treat people,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “This has been a really enjoyable group to be around. They hold each other accountable. They want to be coached. They lead each other. It’s been really, really good, and I’m excited about that.”

That daily standard ties directly to the championship framing he’s been pushing since the opening practice.

“You have to think that way. The way you work, how you prepare, how you lift, how you work with player development, how you watch film, it all matters,” Fernandez said. “I didn’t leave the situation I had in college just to take a WNBA job. I came to Dallas to do something special with a great group and represent this organization in a first-class way. I came here to win. I came here to win. I’m really excited about this group and what we did in free agency.”

Asked what players can gain from being around veterans in a setting like USA Basketball, Fernandez went back to a story from his time with Bueckers on the national team earlier this offseason. Bueckers, he said, went out of her way to learn from Chelsea Gray. The daily habits Gray models are exactly the kind of professional approach Fernandez has seen Bueckers bring to the Wings.

“When I walked in in the morning, Chelsea Gray was the first one getting treatment. She was there at breakfast. She’s dialed in on scouting,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “That’s why she’s so successful. A lot of players, even in college, don’t understand what it takes. Taking care of your body, investing in the extra work, being mentally locked in with the playbook and preparation. That’s why players like her are who they are.”

Bueckers, Fernandez added, has shown those same habits in Dallas. He went on to praise her leadership during their weeks together with USA Basketball.

“You also see it in Paige. Taking care of her body, getting extra work in, being early, staying late. That’s the standard,” Fernandez said. “I was fortunate to spend about two and a half weeks with USA Basketball, and she just does the right things. She leads, she connects, and she wants to be coached. She wants to take ownership. She’s a pleasure to coach, and that’s why she is who she is.”

Jose Fernandez: ‘Azzi Fudd Was the Best Player for This Franchise’

No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd didn’t speak to reporters Tuesday, but every speaker who did made it a point to praise her. Fernandez went in-depth on the thinking behind the Fudd pick, situating it within the broader offseason roster plan.

“When you look at roster construction, we needed leadership in the locker room and specific things at different positions. That’s what we addressed in free agency and the draft,” Fernandez said. “We took Azzi Fudd because she was the best player for this franchise and a great fit in my system. She has a unique skill set. She can really shoot the basketball and create off the bounce. She’s also improved defensively.”

The next phase of Fudd’s development, Fernandez said, will come once WNBA defenses start game-planning against her shooting.

“Now it’s about her adjusting to how teams guard her, but she’s surrounded by good veterans and post players who can create opportunities for her,” Fernandez said. “We’re still missing some key pieces right now, but there was no doubt. We needed to address three-point shooting and add a floor spacer. She fits that, and she still has a lot of growth ahead of her.”

Grace Berger: Defensive Install Headlines Day 3

Berger, one of the Wings’ returning guards, said the focus shifted toward defense on Day 3 after two days that leaned more heavily on offensive install. The group set the tone early despite tired legs, she said.

“It’s our third day, so obviously legs are a little tired. Coach didn’t want us coming in with a lack of energy, and I felt like we did a good job setting the tone early with our voices. Cheering each other on and pumping each other up,” Berger told Dallas Hoops Journal.

Tuesday’s install added new pieces of the defensive playbook. Effort on that end, Berger said, will be one of the defining priorities going forward.

“There was a lot of defense today. Earlier in the week we focused more on offense, but defense is going to be a big focus for us, especially effort on that end,” Berger told Dallas Hoops Journal. “We also started putting in parts of the playbook and getting comfortable with those things.”

Three-point shooting was the focus of her offseason. It’s also a team priority.

“I shot poorly last year, so that’s been a big emphasis for me. It’s also a team focus. We want to be a better three-point shooting team. That’s the name of the game now,” Berger said. “I’ve also gained another year of experience, so I feel more comfortable helping lead younger players, whether I’m at the point guard spot or off the ball, both offensively and defensively.”

As a returning player, Berger has also taken on the role of helping newcomers navigate the WNBA’s terminology shift, especially those coming straight from college or overseas.

“With someone like Azzi, she can fit into any system and excel. She’s just a really good player. But for all the new players, whether they’re coming from college or overseas, it’s about learning terminology,” Berger said. “WNBA terminology is a little different, so we’re helping bring them along. The coaches have done a great job, and we have great vets like Odyssey, AC [Alysha Clark], and even Paige who are helping guide them.”

Newly signed forward Alanna Smith is a cornerstone addition, Berger said. Smith arrived in Dallas this offseason after sharing Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors with A’ja Wilson in 2025.

“She’s great. First and foremost, a great human and teammate. She’s very humble despite everything she’s accomplished. She’s someone you want in the locker room as a leader,” Berger told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Defensively, she stands out immediately. She’s a Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. She protects the rim, uses her length, and brings others along. Offensively, she stretches the floor and connects everything. She makes everyone better. She’s a really exciting player to have.”

Bueckers, Berger said, has grabbed the leadership voice the locker room needed early in camp. She tied it directly to the championship-first messaging Fernandez has been pushing since Day 1.

“Paige is the easy answer. She’s been really vocal and confident. She had a lot of success last year, and I think Unrivaled helped her by being around other championship-level players,” Berger said. “Coming in, she’s embraced being a leader. She’s the one everyone looks to, and she wants that. She holds everyone accountable to her standards, and those are championship standards. It’s all about standards. Everything we do has to be at a championship level. How we warm up, how we stretch, what we wear, how we carry ourselves. Holding ourselves to a high standard in everything, on and off the court, that’s what’s going to lead to winning games.”

Fudd’s demeanor, Berger said, has stood out as much as her game through three days of camp.

“Off the court, you never know what to expect when someone comes in with a lot of attention and notoriety. She’s the No. 1 pick for a reason and had a great college career, but she’s incredibly humble. You wouldn’t know any of her accomplishments by how she approaches each day,” Berger told Dallas Hoops Journal. “She works hard, she’s one of the first in the gym, stretching like a veteran. On the court, she can fit into any system. She’s obviously a great shooter, but there’s more to her game than I realized. She can drive, defend, and pick up full court. I’m excited to see her continue to grow as a pro.”

Aziaha James: Backcourt Chemistry, Unrivaled, and a Year 2 Leap

The backcourt chemistry, James said, has come together fast through three days. The group’s competitiveness is pushing the tempo in every practice.

“The chemistry. We’re already connected. We’re talking, bringing toughness out of each other, being aggressive whether we’re on the same team or competing against each other,” James said. “We’re very competitive, and I think that’s going to help us a lot this season.”

Heading into Year 2, James said her personal goals are to stay composed and build on what she did as a rookie. She’s coming off a season averaging 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 17.7 minutes per game after being selected No. 12 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

“Just staying poised and staying true to myself. Building on what I did last year and continuing to be myself. Whatever the team needs, I’m right there for them,” James said.

Unrivaled shaped her offseason. She zeroed in on defense and soaked up everything she could from veteran point guards like Kelsey Plum and Kelsey Mitchell.

“Unrivaled really helped me a lot, tremendously. I was focused on my defense. There are a lot of scorers in the W, but it takes willingness and pride to have that grit and stop your matchup on defense. That’s what I’ve been working toward,” James told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Literally all of them. That was the best part. Being able to be around different teams, different practices. I learned from Kelsey Plum and other point guards from different perspectives. Just seeing how they work day-to-day. Waking up, getting treatment. It’s the little things that build the bigger picture.”

The coaching staff has pushed James harder than she expected. Fernandez’s championship framing has set the tone for the locker room from Day 1.

“They want the best out of you. Every effort, every play, every possession. They push you to be at your best and beyond that,” James told Dallas Hoops Journal. “It’s not even the sky’s the limit. It’s beyond that. I love it and can’t wait for the season. Coach is always talking about being a championship team. How we show up every day, in every possession, in every huddle. Setting that standard this early, you can already tell what kind of team we’re trying to be.”

At least 10 players were in Dallas working out with the coaching staff about two weeks before camp officially opened, James said. She pointed to it as an early sign of the group’s collective mindset for 2026.

“Definitely. A lot of us were here two weeks before camp even started, working out with the coaches,” James told Dallas Hoops Journal. “That just shows we’re ready and locked in. At least 10 of us were here early, so that tells you everything about the mindset.”

James has also taken on helping Fudd adjust to Dallas. The rookie’s UConn background, she said, has shortened the curve, and Fudd’s natural-born shooting instincts and competitive edge have stood out on and off the floor.

“Just being there for her. She’s coming from a winning program, so she already understands a lot,” James told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I’m just helping where I can, but she’s going to be special. I can’t wait to see her this season. She’s a natural-born shooter. Right away, you can see it. It’s amazing to watch. Off the court, she’s humble, poised, competitive, and aggressive. That’s just who she is. It’s natural for her.”

Bueckers, James said, already carries herself like a veteran despite being just a year ahead of her in the league.

“Paige’s game just keeps getting better every day. Playing with her and learning from her, you see different things,” James told Dallas Hoops Journal. “She’s young, but she already carries herself like a vet. Having that opportunity to be around her, I’m just grateful.”

Li Yueru: First Full Dallas Camp, Unrivaled Title, and Building Chemistry With Fudd

Yueru joined the Wings midway through the 2025 season. Her first full training camp in Dallas, she said, already feels different than her midseason arrival a year ago. Fernandez’s coaching style has made the adjustment comfortable for her.

“It’s a new team, and I feel like I’ve been learning a lot. Learning from the coach and learning about my teammates, their habits, how they want to play, and how they’re used to playing,” Yueru told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I feel like that’s really exciting. Everything so far has been good.”

Fernandez’s European-influenced approach fits her. She likes how much he teaches the younger players, and the energy in the gym through three days has reinforced her belief in the group.

“I feel like he gives me the sense that he’s controlling everything. He teaches us a lot, especially the younger players, and we just need to follow and do our best on the court. I feel that’s wonderful because I like to just listen and execute,” Yueru told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I don’t want to change a lot, so it’s comfortable for me. He kind of has a European-style coaching feel, so I feel comfortable, and I’m learning a lot. I really appreciate everything from the staff. It’s very different. This is my first training camp in Dallas, and everything feels fresh. Like coach said, he’s really happy with the energy we’ve had through three days, and I feel the same. Everyone is putting in a lot of energy and getting better every day. It’s exciting, and I believe we can do more and be better than before. Now we just have to show it in games.”

Yueru closed her Unrivaled season with a championship. That offseason, she said, sped up her development in a few specific areas — off-the-dribble offense and pick-and-roll defense chief among them.

“It brought me my first championship in America, so that was really exciting. I feel like Unrivaled helped me develop a lot. Especially my dribbling, my offense facing the basket, and my defense,” Yueru told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I learned a lot about defending one-on-one and how to defend in pick-and-roll situations. I think that will help me this season. I’m really excited for the season to start so I can show more in the W.”

The Wings coaching staff has also pushed her to keep extending her range. She hit a few threes last season and wants more.

“I hope I can be a really good part of the team. I feel like the coaches want me to shoot, especially since I made some threes last season. I’m trying to improve everything. Under the basket and also from the perimeter,” Yueru said. “I’m pushing myself every day to do more and show more on the court. I hope I can help the team win more and bring good things to the team.”

Her early chemistry work with Fudd has centered on setting screens, creating space, and building pick-and-roll communication on both ends. She added that the variety of skill sets on the retooled Wings roster has been one of the biggest benefits of the early practices.

“She’s a really good shooter. I’m trying to find the best ways to set screens for her and create space,” Yueru told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I’m also learning how to defend with her, especially in pick-and-roll situations. Sometimes we still need to communicate more, but I feel like we’re already doing a lot of good things, and I hope that carries into games. This year is really different. There are a lot of players bringing different skills to the team, and we’re all excited for the season. I’m really glad I can learn from different players. I’ve learned a lot. Like timing, when to help teammates, and when not to. Every player brings something different. Every day feels new, but the energy stays the same. I’m really glad to be here, and I’m looking forward to the season starting.”

5-on-5 Takeaways From Tuesday

Dallas Hoops Journal watched the Wings’ first 5-on-5 action of the week firsthand. A few specific things stood out beyond what Fernandez, Berger, James, and Yueru discussed after practice.

Maddy Siegrist’s on-ball defense. Siegrist has been one of the early standouts at the defensive end. She’s getting into the ball aggressively and using active hands to rip it loose for steals. Her presence as an off-ball defender shouldn’t be overlooked either. She’s physical even against entry passes, and at 6-foot-2, she has the size to be disruptive.

Alanna Smith and Yueru as a frontcourt pair. The Wings are still waiting on Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, and Awak Kuier, who are finishing up overseas commitments. In the meantime, Dallas has been running Smith alongside Yueru. That’s a very large combination with a 6-foot-7 center, but it doesn’t sacrifice spacing because Yueru can shoot from beyond the arc. It’s also a look that gives Smith a chance to be more involved as a decision-maker and paint finisher. The defensive versatility is obvious — Smith can be aggressive on the ball, knowing there’s size and length behind her on the backline.

Smith has also gained some reps at the four next to Zee Spearman. Expect experimentation once Shepard and Kuier return, particularly Kuier on the wing in big combinations and Smith at the five with Shepard available to play the four.

Defensive identity is taking shape. Dallas clearly wants to be an aggressive defensive team. There’s a clear emphasis on having the big play up to the level, or at least pretty close in space, to take away gaps in actions. As Dallas Hoops Journal has previously noted, this can require showing and recovering from the big. Yueru is moving well physically after getting plenty of reps guarding in space during Unrivaled. She’s playing up and using active hands, avoiding recklessness, and pressuring finish attempts. She’s poised, raising a hand to apply vertical pressure as she gets into position to leverage her size. Those are quality reps for her to build on while Shepard finishes her season in Italy.

Bueckers on and off the ball. Bueckers spent a lot of time handling the ball while the Wings cycled through offensive installs. When she plays off the ball, though, this team has several unselfish perimeter players who look for her. Alysha Clark had a possession where she probed the defense and patiently read weak-side help before swinging the ball to Bueckers for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer. Fudd also had a patient drive, drew a handoff, then passed the ball to Bueckers before a jumper.

Consistent off-ball activity. Additionally, the veterans on this Wings team stay active off-ball by making well-timed cuts, with Yueru finding Siegrist on a backdoor cut after crashing the offensive glass. Dallas has stayed active throughout possessions as well, even having players screen for each other in the paint to disrupt the defense as the shot clock winds down with intentional off-ball movement. This veteran group just knows how to play, while having young players that fit right in.

Fudd’s fit in screening actions. Fudd will be an integral part of this team through her presence during screening actions. The Wings are going to run her off staggers while also involving her in ball-screening action. It’s often said, but being up close in the gym to watch her release is impressive. She gets shots off with practically only a split second needed to do it, and she has an incredible balance about her, even when shooting on the move. Bueckers knows how to get the ball into her rhythm from their time at UConn, with thousands of reps between them across games and practices. Fudd’s shooting gravity will put defenses in challenging positions, especially with Dallas’ perimeter depth and frontcourt options who can step out to space or be involved in the paint. The Wings want three-pointers from Fudd, but the mid-range is an option to keep the defense honest.

Fudd’s defensive impact. Fudd’s defensive effort has been a consistent talking point throughout camp, from Fernandez down through her teammates. She’s active on the ball and fights through screens. She’s likely to be tasked with tough assignments early in her career because of her physicality and effort on defense. Guarding top WNBA guards will be a real test, as it is for any rookie, but her competitiveness sticks out. She’s positionally sound, and it’s obvious she comes from a winning program with high standards.

Don’t overlook Bueckers on that end either. She had a well-timed strong-side help steal against a pick-and-roll drive while Fudd was containing on-ball. The two backcourt pieces will compete defensively, which matters a lot when building around high-powered offensive lineups.

What Comes Next

The Wings consider Wednesday as Day 4, the team’s first scheduled off day. They’re back on the practice floor Thursday for Day 5. Fernandez said Day 4 will be the first real read on how the group carries what’s been built so far into the rest of camp.

The preseason opener is April 30 on the road against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The regular season opens in the same building on May 9.

More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal

• ‘She’s Going To Be Special’: Inside Azzi Fudd’s Early Impression At Dallas Wings Training Camp
• ‘She’s A Pro’: Paige Bueckers Is Built Different In Year 2, And Jose Fernandez Says It Will Show In Clutch Time
• ‘A Bright Future’: Alanna Smith Details Picking Dallas Wings In Free Agency, Expanding Her Game
• ‘A Dream Come True’: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd Realize Decade-Long Journey To Dallas Wings Backcourt
• Dallas Wings Training Camp Day 2 Interviews: Jose Fernandez, Alysha Clark, Maddy Siegrist And Odyssey Sims
• Dallas Wings Training Camp Day 1 Recap: Jose Fernandez Sets Tone With ‘No-BS’ Culture
• ‘She Better Shoot The Damn Ball’: Jose Fernandez Challenges Azzi Fudd On Day 1 Of Training Camp
• ‘Landed Where I Was Meant to Be’: Azzi Fudd Introduced By Dallas Wings, Embraces New Journey
• Exclusive: Curt Miller On The ‘New-Look’ Dallas Wings, Frontcourt Chemistry, And Azzi Fudd’s Elite Ceiling