BERLIN — José Fernández will work the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup as a scout coach for the United States. USA Basketball named the Dallas Wings coach to Kara Lawson‘s staff on Aug. 6, the same day it announced the 12-player roster that includes Paige Bueckers.
Fernández and Bueckers first worked together in a national team setting in March, at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he also served as a scout coach.
“Ever since [Fernández] got the position, he reached out, and we started to build a relationship with an open line of communication where we talk basketball, we go back and forth,” Bueckers said. “He’s a relatable guy, and he loves the game and lives the game just as much as I do. We have great dialogue, and we like to help each other.”
Tia Jackson of Duke is the other scout coach on the staff. Lawson’s assistants in Berlin are Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries, Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury, and Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever. All three worked the qualifying tournament in March and served as court coaches at the December 2025 and April 2026 national team training camps.
Fernández was an assistant coach for the 2025 USA Women’s U19 National Team and the 2024 Women’s U18 National Team. Both won gold.
José Fernández Reached The WNBA After 25 Seasons at South Florida
Dallas named Fernández its head coach on Oct. 27, 2025, and introduced him at a news conference on Nov. 6. He is the 14th head coach in franchise history. The Wings had moved on from Chris Koclanes the previous September after one season and a 10-34 finish.
Fernández spent 25 seasons at the University of South Florida, from 2000 through 2025, and went 485-317 there. He took the Bulls to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, eight of them in his last 11 seasons.
Dallas is 24-16 in his first WNBA season, fourth in the Western Conference. The Wings clinched a playoff berth on Aug. 25 with a 96-78 win over the Portland Fire at College Park Center, their first postseason appearance since 2023.
Four Wings Are In Berlin, And Two Face Paige Bueckers In Group Play
Bueckers is not the only Dallas player at the tournament. Alanna Smith is on Australia’s roster, Costanza Verona is with Italy, and Li Yueru is with China. Dallas placed Verona’s contract on hold so she could join Italy for World Cup training camps and exhibition games, which opened a roster spot for a developmental signing.
Bueckers will face Yueru on Friday and Verona on Sunday. Australia is in Group C with Belgium, Puerto Rico, and Türkiye.
Bueckers has averaged 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 38 games this season. Smith has averaged 6.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 32 games. Yueru has averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 29 games, and Verona has appeared in one game for Dallas.
The United States opens against China on Friday at 7:15 a.m. CT on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. The tournament runs through Sept. 13. Dallas resumes its regular season on Sept. 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks at College Park Center, with four games left on the schedule.
