Paige Bueckers’ new coach reveals how he will make the Wings star even better originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Paige Bueckers was about as ready-made for the WNBA as any rookie in league history. In her debut season with the Dallas Wings, Bueckers finished top-five in league scoring and minutes played; she was top 10 in assists provided and steals made on her way to snagging 70 of a possible 72 votes for Rookie of the Year.
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But Bueckers will have a new coach in her second WNBA season, following the Wings’ choice to dismiss Chris Koclanes after one year on the job. Former University of South Florida coach Jose Fernandez was hired last month, and he met the Dallas media for the first time on Thursday.
Fernandez spent 25 years as the head coach of the USF Bulls’ women’s team, turning the Tampa-based program into a mid-major power that consistently qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Fernandez has been praised for his energy, innovation and communication style — but WNBA fans are most interested in knowing how he will take Bueckers’ game to another level as the Wings try to build a championship contender around her.
Fernandez: Our ideas are going to suit Bueckers
Fernandez on Thursday called Bueckers “one of the faces of the league.” But though her talent and leadership have made her a household name, Bueckers wants to be coached up and is determined to get even better as a player.
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That’s where Fernandez comes in.
“I think the things that we’re going to do in the half court and the open floor are going to suit her,” he said.
Some believe that Fernandez is in position to transform Bueckers into the league’s top mid-range shooter, and there is a lot of curiosity over whether Fernandez will import his successful zone offense from the NCAA into the WNBA.
But Fernandez is confident that Bueckers’ adaptability to off-ball schemes — in addition to her on-ball virtues — will change the culture in Dallas, where the Wings have only one playoff series win in 10 seasons.
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“This won’t be the same old Dallas Wings, my brother,” Fernandez said Thursday. “Change is coming, and we’re gonna win.”
