Azzi Fudd can’t understand why opponents keep targeting her originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Azzi Fudd has already discovered one of the unwritten rules of the WNBA. If you’re a rookie, opposing teams are going to test you. What surprised the Dallas Wings guard is that so many teams seem determined to test her defense.
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Fresh off another Wings victory, Fudd admitted she’s been told opponents frequently target her on that end of the floor. The former UConn star understands it’s part of life as a rookie, but she still isn’t entirely convinced the scouting report matches what she’s putting on the court.
After Dallas rolled past the Seattle Storm 79-56 on Monday night, Fudd offered an honest response when asked about her defensive approach.
“I really think defense is mostly effort,” Fudd said. “Just having that defensive mentality.
“I’ve been told that teams like to pick on me. I don’t know why. I feel like I play pretty hard.
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“I just try to make things difficult. Everyone in this league is extremely talented and can get whatever they want most nights. So it’s my job to make things hard for them.”
It was a revealing answer from one of the league’s most talked-about rookies, particularly because Fudd didn’t sound frustrated by the criticism. If anything, she sounded confused by it.
Azzi Fudd is proving she’s more than just a scorer
Much of the attention surrounding Fudd entering the WNBA centered on her shooting ability. That’s understandable.
The No. 1 overall pick built her reputation at UConn as one of the most gifted offensive players in women’s basketball. Her ability to create shots and stretch defenses made her one of the most anticipated prospects to enter the league in years.
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But her rookie season has featured much more than scoring. Through eight games, Fudd is averaging 12.1 points while shooting 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. She’s also contributing 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest, numbers that suggest she’s making an impact on both ends of the floor.
Those defensive statistics don’t necessarily paint the picture of a player opponents should be eager to attack.
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Dallas is seeing encouraging growth from its rookie star
Monday wasn’t one of Fudd’s biggest offensive performances. After scoring at least 22 points in each of her previous two games, she finished with nine points against Seattle while taking just seven shots. Yet her influence was still felt throughout the game.
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Fudd added a steal and a block while helping Dallas dominate defensively in a 23-point victory. The Wings held Seattle to just 56 points and improved to 6-3 on the season, keeping pace near the top of the Western Conference standings.
That’s the type of performance coaches often appreciate most from young players. Even when the shots aren’t falling or the scoring opportunities are limited, finding other ways to contribute is what separates good players from complete players.
Opponents may keep testing her for now
Whether Fudd agrees with it or not, teams are likely to continue attacking her defensively. That’s simply how the WNBA works. Veteran players target rookies until they prove they can consistently handle the challenge. Every possession becomes a test, and every successful stop helps build a reputation.
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The early returns suggest Fudd is handling those tests better than she gets credit for. More importantly, she doesn’t appear interested in avoiding the challenge. Instead, she’s embracing it.
And if her first few weeks in the league are any indication, opposing teams may eventually find themselves searching for someone else to pick on.
