DHJ Quick Take: The Italian Connection
- The Schio Synergy: Jessica Shepard and Costanza Verona aren’t just joining the Wings—they’re arriving with pre-existing championship chemistry. Currently competing for Famila Wuber Schio in the Italian Serie A1 Finals against Umana Reyer Venezia, the pair’s ability to communicate in Jose Fernandez’s system will be accelerated by their months of shared high-stakes reps in Europe.
- The Record-Breaking Anchor: Shepard‘s value cannot be overstated. In 2025, she recorded the fastest triple-double in WNBA history (21 minutes, 57 seconds) against the Indiana Fever. As Alanna Smith noted, Shepard is one of the league’s most “underrated” playmakers, and her ability to facilitate from the post is the “Secret Sauce” that will unlock the Wings‘ perimeter shooters.
- The “Home Run” Frontcourt: Curt Miller’s strategy was clear: land the co-Defensive Player of the Year (Smith) and a glass-cleaning hub (Shepard) to “pre-build” the interior. This flexibility allowed Dallas to take Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall, creating a lineup that features elite playmaking at nearly every position.
- Closing the 11,000-Mile Gap: While the “staggered arrivals” have been a logistical hurdle, the staff’s remote coaching ensures Shepard and Verona aren’t starting from scratch. Whether they land Saturday (after a potential Game 2 exit) or Monday (following a Game 3), they will enter a locker room already validated by stars like Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard and guard Costanza Verona are expected to rejoin training camp by early next week, general manager Curt Miller said, with the pair of future Wings teammates currently sharing a locker room in Italy as they work through their league’s championship series.
Miller told reporters the exact timing of their Dallas arrival hinges on whether their Italian club can extend the best-of-three title series after dropping Game 1. After Miller’s media availability, Famila Wuber Schio defeated Lega Basket Femminile 74-53 to force a Game 3.
“Jess Shepard and Verona are about to play Game 2 of the Italian League Championship series. They’re down 1-0 in a best-of-three,” Miller said. “If they lose, they could be on a flight Saturday. If they win and force Game 3, they’ll likely return Monday.”
Italian Title Series in the Balance
Shepard and Verona are two of five Wings players still overseas as training camp continues under first-year head coach Jose Fernandez. Shepard is one of four projected top-eight players absent from the facility, joining forward Alanna Smith, guard Arike Ogunbowale, and forward Awak Kuier on the staggered arrival list. Miller said the absences have placed an added burden on the Dallas coaching staff, which is installing a new system while awaiting the full group.
“The hardest part is on the coaching staff. Jose is implementing a new system, and we’re missing key players,” Miller said. “Four of our top eight players, Alanna Smith, Awak Kuier, Jess Shepard, and Arike, aren’t here. There needs to be patience and some grace early in the season.”
Jessica Shepard is a Free Agency ‘Home Run’
Shepard was one of the Wings’ top free agency targets this offseason, with Miller describing the signing as central to the team’s effort to overhaul its frontcourt alongside Smith.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with how free agency went. Improving our post play was a priority,” Miller said. “We targeted a very small group of post players, and Jess Shepard and Alanna Smith were at the top. If we got one, we’d be happy, if we got both, it was a home run. Getting both exceeded expectations. That clarity in free agency made the draft decision clear as well, which ultimately pointed to Azzi.”
With Shepard and Smith locked in, the Wings had the frontcourt depth to commit to taking Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft rather than feeling pressure to address post needs on draft night.
Projected Starting Role for Jessica Shepard
Miller’s projected starting lineup has Shepard penciled in alongside Paige Bueckers, Ogunbowale, Fudd, and Smith, with the general manager pointing to the front five as the anchor of a 10-player rotation he expects to be one of the deeper groups in the league.
“When you look at a projected lineup of Paige, Arike, Azzi, Jess, and Alanna, and then a second unit of Odyssey, Aziaha, Maddy Siegrist, Awak, and Li, that’s a strong 10,” Miller said. “And we haven’t even mentioned Alysha Clark. We’re excited about the depth and how the roster is shaping up.”
Teammates See Underrated Playmaker
Shepard, who spent her previous WNBA seasons with the Lynx, is coming off a 2025 campaign in which she averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 40 games and finished third in Sixth Player of the Year voting. Her production spiked in Minnesota’s 10 games without Napheesa Collier, when she averaged 11.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Smith, who shared a Minnesota Lynx frontcourt with Shepard last season, offered a detailed scouting report on what her longtime peer will bring to Dallas.
“Jess is one of the most underrated players in the league. Her IQ and the way she can play in space is unbelievable,” Smith said. “She’s going to bring that to this team, along with the ability to distribute and score for herself. She had a triple-double with Minnesota last year, and I think she can get multiple of those in a season. I’m really excited for her, I think this is a great place for her.”
Shepard also recorded a triple-double against the Indiana Fever on Aug. 22, 2025, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, the game Smith referenced in her scouting report.
Bueckers, in her own media availability, framed Shepard as one of the premier playmakers at her position in the league among the Wings’ key offseason additions.
“We have a lot of versatility offensively and defensively, shooting, length, aggressive defensive mentality,” Bueckers said. “We have a Defensive Player of the Year-type presence, and Jess is one of the best playmakers in the league at the four.”
Forward Maddy Siegrist, asked directly about Shepard and Smith, highlighted the defensive upgrade and floor awareness the pair brings to the Wings frontcourt.
“I think the biggest thing is defensively. They’re great defenders, in the right spot, mobile, and versatile,” Siegrist said. “I’m excited to play with them rather than against them, banging with them for rebounds and things like that. They’re also high-IQ players. The way they see the floor, get to the next pass, and score the ball, they bring a lot of different things. Ultimately, it’s about impacting winning.”
What’s Next
Shepard and Verona’s return to Dallas will follow the final game of their Italian series, with other overseas arrivals also taking shape over the coming days. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu is expected back from Serbia on Saturday after winning the Serbian Championship, and Ogunbowale is projected to return Monday evening after wrapping up Game 5 of her Chinese Championship series.
Kuier remains the lone Wings player without a confirmed return date as she awaits an immigration appointment in Finland. Smith, who had been handling immigration matters away from the team, is expected to be back at practice on Saturday.
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