The Dallas Wings made former UConn star guard Azzi Fudd the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13, and she showed why in the Wings’ 91-76 win over the New York Liberty last Sunday.
Fudd started the second half and went ballistic from 3, scoring 17 points in the third quarter alone and finishing with a career-high 24 points. Her six made 3-pointers set a Wings franchise rookie record.
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Reigning WNBA MVP, WNBA Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year A’ja Wilson has taken notice.
“I feel like she was someone that I always felt like was going to have a smooth transition because of her approach to the game,” Wilson said Thursday, per Landon Buford. “It’s very professional-like already, even in college.”
The Las Vegas Aces All-Star continued, “I feel like in college I would always have slip-ups, but it felt like when it came to Azzi, she just was so steady-minded. Her mental is always so tough. So, her transition doesn’t come by any surprise by me. I think she’s doing a great job. Obviously, she’s gonna have her ups and downs. That comes with being a rookie, but I think she’s handled it really well.”
Wilson knows all about the pressures of being the No. 1 overall pick, as the Aces selected her first overall in 2018. She has since become a seven-time All-Star, four-time WNBA MVP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time WNBA champion. Those are ridiculous expectations for Fudd, or anyone not named A’ja Wilson, so let’s just focus on Fudd checking off her next career milestone.
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“2026 No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd will make her first career start tonight as the Dallas Wings take on the Las Vegas Aces, sources tell ESPN,” Alexa Philippou reported. “While the Wings have multiple starters on the IR with illnesses, Fudd is set to make her debut in the starting five regardless of those players’ availability.”
The Aces (4-2) and the Wings (4-3) will meet at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, at 8 p.m. EST, with the game streaming on Prime Video.
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