Author: Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for Dallas Hoops Journal and a lead contributor to Roundtable.io. With over a decade of experience as a credentialed journalist, Afseth provides elite tactical analysis and front-office strategy for the Mavericks, Wings, and Texas basketball. His reporting is featured across national platforms including Newsweek, RG.org, Hoops Rumors, and Athlon Sports. A primary source for the basketball community, his work is frequently cited by Wikipedia, RealGM, and Basketball-Reference. He previously served as a Mavericks and NBA reporter for Sports Illustrated's FanNation and Rockets/OnSI, as well as Ballislife, Heavy Sports, ClutchPoints, and NBA Analysis Network. During the Mavericks' 2024 NBA Finals run and the pivotal 2025 offseason—featuring his lead reporting on the Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade—he served as a featured insider for The Texas Standard and BBC Sport Radio. Afseth is a regular guest on Fox 4 Dallas and 105.3 The Fan. He previously reported for the Kokomo Tribune and Winsidr. Follow his real-time reporting on X @GrantAfseth.

Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies dribbles against Laila Hull of North Carolina during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

Dallas Wings WNBA

ESPN Gives Dallas Wings An ‘A’ Grade For Selecting Azzi Fudd No. 1 Overall In 2026 WNBA Draft

Grant AfsethApril 14, 2026 9:44 AMApril 14, 2026 9:44 AM

DHJ Quick Take: The Elite Perimeter Vision The "A" Standard: ESPN's high mark validates the "Information Gain" strategy Curt Miller employed this offseason. By solving the frontcourt depth in free agency with Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, the Wings were able to use the No. 1 pick to draft for...

Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies dribbles the ball during the NCAA Women's Final Four semifinal against South Carolina in Phoenix.

Azzi Fudd Dallas Wings WNBA

‘We’ve Known For A Little While’: Greg Bibb On Why Azzi Fudd Was The Only Choice For Dallas

Grant AfsethApril 14, 2026 12:37 AMApril 14, 2026 12:37 AM

DHJ Quick Take: The End of the Spacing Crisis Solving the Volume Problem: Greg Bibb’s admission that the team "struggled shooting the ball" is an understatement. By ranking last in 3PT attempts (21.6), the Wings allowed defenses to collapse on Arike Ogunbowale. Adding Fudd—who led Division I with 117 triples—immediately...

Azzi Fudd posing for a portrait at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City before being selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings.

Dallas Wings WNBA

‘She Was The Right Fit’: Jose Fernandez And Curt Miller Detail Drafting Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings’ Free Agency Moves

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 10:13 PMApril 13, 2026 10:14 PM

DHJ Quick Take: The Azzi Fudd Blueprint The "Crystal Clear" Choice: Curt Miller was incredibly transparent—while Azzi Fudd was always the target, the success in signing Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard in free agency made the decision "crystal clear." By building a wall of veteran size first, Dallas ensured Fudd...

Maddy Siegrist #20 of the Dallas Wings takes a jump shot during a game against the Connecticut Sun in Arlington.

Dallas Wings WNBA

‘A Great Piece’: Maddy Siegrist Details Dallas Wings Drafting Azzi Fudd Using No. 1 Pick

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 8:39 PMApril 13, 2026 8:40 PM

DHJ Quick Take: The Big East Connection The Big East Brain Trust: Maddy Siegrist (Villanova) and Azzi Fudd (UConn) bring a shared conference pedigree to Arlington. This familiarity with high-level, disciplined offensive systems will be a force multiplier for Jose Fernandez as he installs his motion-heavy scheme. Doubling Down on...

Azzi Fudd of UConn poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City.

Azzi Fudd Dallas Wings UConn WNBA

‘Nothing I Could Have Imagined’: Azzi Fudd Reacts To Dallas Wings Selection And Paige Bueckers Reunion

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 8:17 PMApril 13, 2026 10:02 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Azzi Fudd Embraces the Dallas Wings The "We-Over-Me" Mentality: Azzi Fudd’s comments on her "team mentality" aren't just draft-night rhetoric. Her 97th-percentile spot-up efficiency (1.210 PPP) is the ultimate selfless skill; she creates gravity for Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers simply by standing on the perimeter, forcing...

Azzi Fudd of UConn poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings at the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Dallas Wings WNBA

‘Ecstatic To Add Her’: Curt Miller Breaks Down Azzi Fudd As No. 1 Pick For Dallas Wings

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 7:42 PM

DHJ Quick Take: The Blueprint for Success The "Sure Bet" Profile: Curt Miller’s emphasis on "intangibles" and "basketball IQ" aligns with the consensus that Azzi Fudd is the most professional-ready prospect in the 2026 class. Her career .489/.455/.955 shooting splits provide an immediate fix for a Wings team that lacked...

Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose together on the orange carpet prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City.

Dallas Wings Paige Bueckers WNBA

Dallas Wings Select Azzi Fudd No. 1 Overall, Reuniting Her With Paige Bueckers

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 6:23 PMApril 13, 2026 6:26 PM

DHJ Quick Take: The Blueprint is Set The Gravity of Fudd: Azzi Fudd isn't just a draft pick; she is a tactical correction. For a Wings team that sat at the bottom of the league in 3PT volume (21.6 attempts), her 44.5% career mark from deep provides the "release valve"...

UCLA stars Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice posing with a basketball inside a Raising Cane’s restaurant in Hollywood after winning the 2026 NCAA Championship.

UCLA WNBA

Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice Celebrate UCLA Title At Raising Cane’s Ahead Of Monday’s WNBA Draft

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 2:31 PMApril 13, 2026 2:38 PM

DHJ Quick Take: From Hollywood to the Pros The Draft Outlook: Lauren Betts enters Monday as the prohibitive favorite for the Minnesota Lynx at No. 2, while Kiki Rice's draft stock is surging toward the Chicago Sky at No. 5. Their ability to lead a "player-led" locker room at UCLA...

Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies drives to the basket against Orlagh Gormley #3 of the Providence Friars during a game in Storrs.

Dallas Wings WNBA

‘Why Not?’: Andraya Carter Explains Why Azzi Fudd Is The Tactical Key For Dallas Wings At No. 1

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 1:54 PMApril 13, 2026 2:00 PM

DHJ Quick Take: The Scramble Effect Downstream Gravity: Andraya Carter’s most compelling point is that Azzi Fudd’s value isn't just in the shots she makes, but the driving lanes she creates. By forcing defenders to stay home on the perimeter, she prevents help-side defense from collapsing on Paige Bueckers or...

Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies looks on during a Big East matchup against the DePaul Blue Demons in Chicago.

Dallas Wings WNBA

Azzi Fudd’s Odds To Go No. 1 Overall Continue To Surge Before Monday’s WNBA Draft

Grant AfsethApril 13, 2026 1:35 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Azzi Fudd's Momentum Continues Implied Certainty: At -600, FanDuel Sportsbook is giving Azzi Fudd an 85.7% implied probability of being the top pick. This late-stage movement often indicates that the "news" is already baked into the line, leaving very little room for a surprise pivot to Awa...

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