Fernandez will start the timer Sunday, when training camp begins in Arlington.

Dallas released its training camp roster Friday, noting All-Star guard Arike Ogunbwale, forward Jessica Shepard, center Awak Kuier, guard Costanza Verona and center-forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu will arrive late to camp because of overseas commitments.

It took the Bueckers-Ogunbowale backcourt time to develop during Bueckers’ rookie season in 2025. But the pair took off after the All-Star break, only for Ogunbowale to close the season with injuries. Bueckers and Fudd won a national championship together at UConn in 2025.

“My staff and I are looking forward to looking at everybody at camp and finding the right lineups that play well together. We have a short time to prepare,” Fernandez said. 

“When you look at those three playing together, I know the big concern is how are those three going to play defensively? But other teams have to guard those three if they’re on the floor together at the same time,” he continued.

Dallas re-signed Ogunbowale to a multiyear deal in free agency. Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, is entering the second year of her rookie contract.

In total, the Wings will have 22 players at camp. Dallas will cut that roster down to 12 active players before the season opener at the Indiana Fever on May 9. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams may also sign up to two additional players on development contracts.

The Wings will use preseason games on the road against the Indiana Fever on April 30 and against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center in Austin on May 3 to further assess the roster before making final decisions. 

Working against the clock, Fernandez said Thursday some players have gotten a head start.

“I’m really excited about the players. They got here really early. They’ve been here for over a week and a half,” Fernandez said. “I really like what I’ve seen so far in regards to the standards that we have set in voluntary workouts, and I think there’s going to be a great carry over to Sunday on the expectations, on how we prepare, how we do things, how we practice, how we communicate with one another. So I’m just looking forward to Sunday.”