After six games on the bench, Azzi Fudd made her first career WNBA start.
On Thursday, Fudd started for the Dallas Wings against the Las Vegas Aces. The move came as questions mounted about Fudd’s performance after being selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft.
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Wings head coach Jose Fernandez has largely rebuffed or sidestepped questions around Fudd starting. Dallas had several players who were battling illnesses including Alanna Smith, who did not play. Still, Fernandez emphasized the decision to start Fudd was made independent of the illness.
“Azzi (Fudd) was going to start regardless,” Fernandez said pregame. “So if everybody was healthy, our starting lineup was going to be (Paige Bueckers), Azzi (Fudd), Arike (Ogunbowale), (Alanna Smith) and Jessica (Shepard).”How did Fudd do in her first WNBA start? Here is the grade for the debut, including instant analysis:
Azzi Fudd first WNBA start: How did the guard do in the Wings lineup?
Grade: A-
Ahead of Thursday, Fudd had played well when given minutes, but looked somewhat timid on the court. There were often moments when she passed up shots and didn’t quite seem to be comfortable. However, that changed during a May 24 matchup against the New York Liberty.
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As Dallas rolled over New York with a 91-76 win, Fudd excelled. She was confident and smooth as her quick release became a nightmare for the Liberty to defend. Fudd knocked down six 3-pointers en route to a career-high 24 points on 60% shooting. She also caused timely disruption in her defensive assignments, with three steals and two blocks. Fudd kept the same consistency when she was inserted into the starting lineup Thursday.
Asking Fudd to be a starter against the defending champion Aces was a leap of faith, but the rookie delivered. She played within her game and never seemed rattled. Fudd was calm and decisive as she drove down the lane, cashed in on corner 3-pointers or pulled up for a jumper. She also created plenty of off-ball movement and spacing on the floor for Dallas. By halftime, the Wings guard had nine points on 50% shooting, two assists and a steal. Her second half was even better.
Fudd had 13 in the second half, including eight points in the third quarter. She was critical as the Wings produced 27 points in the third to tie the matchup with the Aces 72-all ahead of the fourth quarter. As Dallas pulled away late, Fudd drained a corner 3-pointer with just over four minutes remaining to help extend the lead. The Wings beat Las Vegas 95-87. Fudd finished with 22 points on 60% shooting plus three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. She also had zero turnovers.
Overall, Fudd looked great in her first WNBA start. It went about as well as Dallas could hope and says a lot about the team’s confidence in Fudd. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the move become permanent.
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If there was anything to critique, it comes on the defensive side of the ball. Fudd’s defense in one-on-one situations is a work in progress, as it is for most rookies. There were times that she got lost in coverage or fell behind while guarding the speed and quickness of Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. Still, it’s nothing that time and more WNBA experience won’t fix.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grading Azzi Fudd’s first WNBA start in Wings win vs. Aces
