DHJ Quick Take: The Rookie’s Dallas Debut
- The Mound Redemption: After a self-admitted “bounce” at Nationals Park in 2025, Azzi Fudd delivered a cleaner strike at Globe Life Field. Following in the footsteps of Paige Bueckers‘ 2025 appearance, Fudd is quickly becoming a staple of the Arlington professional sports scene before she even plays her first WNBA minute.
- Culture of Solidarity: The fact that the entire active Wings roster attended the game speaks volumes about the locker room chemistry Jose Fernandez and Curt Miller are cultivating. In a league where chemistry can be fragile, seeing the team rally around their rookie at a non-basketball event is a strong indicator of the “selfless” culture Bueckers highlighted at Media Day.
- Settling Into North Texas: By highlighting local staples like Hurtado Barbecue and the Fort Worth Stockyards, Fudd is leaning into her new home. It’s a transition from being a national prospect to becoming a local star, evidenced by her support for the Texas Rangers and her curiosity about the Dallas Cowboys.
- The Boomstick Factor: Beyond the X’s and O’s, Fudd’s organic reaction to the ballpark’s signature two-foot hot dog provides the kind of personality-driven content that builds a loyal fan base.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s Texas Rangers–New York Yankees game at Globe Life Field, headlining Dallas Wings Night with all of her in-town teammates on hand to support her.
The toss came less than two weeks after Fudd was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft and marked her second MLB ceremonial first pitch in less than a year. By her own measure, this one was an upgrade.
“This pitch was definitely better,” Fudd said. “I didn’t hit the ground, so that’s improvement.”
A Better Outing Than Nationals Park
Fudd threw out the first pitch at Nationals Park in July 2025 before a Washington Nationals-Cincinnati Reds game in her hometown of Arlington, Virginia. The 23-year-old guard said she was nervous heading to the mound Tuesday, even with the prior experience under her belt.
“Yeah, I was nervous,” Fudd said.
Fudd is the second straight Wings No. 1 overall pick to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Globe Life Field. Bueckers did the same on June 18, 2025, before a Rangers-Royals game.
Dallas Wings Teammates Show Up
Every Dallas Wings player in the city for the day attended the game in support of Fudd, a show of solidarity less than two weeks into her time with the franchise. Fudd said that integrating into the team has been the highlight of her young tenure in Dallas, aside from draft night itself.
“Honestly, just getting here, getting to meet everyone, and getting to know the people I’m spending all my time with,” Fudd said when asked about the most exciting part of her first week. “That’s been the most exciting.”
Settling Into Dallas
Fudd has wasted little time exploring the city’s food scene, with one early stop already on the books.
“I’ve had some barbecue, and that was fantastic,” Fudd said. “I haven’t had any Mexican yet, so that’s next.”
Asked specifically where, she named Hurtado Barbecue, the Arlington-based pitmaster operation founded by Brandon Hurtado that has expanded across the metroplex.
“I went to Hurtado’s,” Fudd said.
The rookie also offered a public wishlist for the rest of her Dallas experience, including a Dallas Cowboys game, the Fort Worth Stockyards, and an unspecified water park.
“If my dad is watching this, I don’t claim saying this, but I do want to go to a Cowboys game,” Fudd said. “I’ve heard a lot about the Stockyards. I’ve heard about some water park I need to go to, and a lot of food places. I’m open to all recommendations.”
The Boomstick Awaits
Globe Life Field’s concessions also got Fudd’s attention, though one of the venue’s signature items came as a surprise.
Asked about the Boomstick, the ballpark’s two-foot-long loaded hot dog and unofficial culinary mascot, Fudd had a curious reaction.
“What is that?” she said.
Once the item was described, she was sold.
“I’m going to have to try that for sure,” Fudd said.
From UConn to the No. 1 Pick
Fudd was selected first overall on April 13 after a graduate season at UConn in which she started all 39 games and averaged career highs of 17.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. She shot 44.7% from beyond the arc on 6.7 attempts per game and led Division I with 117 made 3-pointers, finishing fifth nationally in 3-point percentage.
Under the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, ratified in March, Fudd signed the richest rookie contract in league history at $500,000 for her first season. She joins a star-studded team with Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale that added veteran standouts Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard in free agency, while rostering plenty of intriguing young talents.
Fudd is set to make her preseason debut on Thursday against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. She will play her first WNBA regular-season game on May 9, also against the Fever in Indiana.
More Azzi Fudd & Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘She’s Going To Be Special’: Inside Azzi Fudd’s Early Impression At Dallas Wings Training Camp
- Dallas Wings 2026 Media Day: Key Takeaways Featuring Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd And More
- Dallas Wings Rookie Azzi Fudd To Throw Ceremonial First Pitch Before Rangers-Yankees Game
- Paige Bueckers On Dallas Wings’ New Offensive System: ‘Never A Stagnant Moment’
- ‘A Dream Come True’: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd Realize Decade-Long Journey To Dallas Wings Backcourt
