DHJ Quick Take: The Professional Standard
- Elite Preparation: Fudd’s comment that “this is the best my body has felt” is a massive signal to the league. By being “intentional” with her recovery and regimen over the last year, she isn’t entering training camp as a rookie trying to catch up—she’s arriving as a polished pro ready for the 36-game grind.
- The Shooting Contest: When the No. 1 overall pick says she’d win a shooting contest against Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, it’s not arrogance—it’s the “UConn standard.” That level of internal competition is exactly why Curt Miller believes the Wings‘ offensive ceiling has fundamentally shifted.
- Defensive Accountability: Jose Fernandez was direct about the three-guard lineup: “Other teams also have to guard them.” By highlighting her father’s influence on her defensive positioning, Fudd is already pushing back on the “specialist” label, aiming to be a two-way anchor in Arlington.
- Cultural Fit: Fudd’s desire to visit the Stockyards and embrace Tex-Mex culture fits the “high-character” profile Miller has prioritized. She isn’t just here to play; she’s here to be a face of the franchise in the DFW community.
DALLAS — Azzi Fudd sat in front of a Dallas Wings backdrop Thursday for the first time as a professional basketball player — and wasted no time establishing exactly who she is.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft held her introductory press conference at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, joined by head coach Jose Fernandez and general manager Curt Miller. Several teammates made the trip to show their support, with Maddy Siegrist, JJ Quinerly, Grace Berger, Aziaha James, Li Yueru, and Shyanne Sellers all in attendance inside the ballroom. What emerged over the course of the session was a portrait of a player who has spent years preparing for this moment — physically, mentally, and philosophically — and arrives in Dallas with her eyes open about what comes next.
Fudd arrives as one of the most decorated players to come out of the college game in recent memory. The Arlington, Va., native started all 39 games in her final season at UConn, averaging 17.7 points per game while shooting 48.9% from the field, 45.5% from three, and 95.5% from the free-throw line — leading all of Division I with 117 three-pointers made while ranking fifth nationally in three-point percentage. She set single-season career highs in points (673), rebounds (100), assists (117), blocks (18), and steals (97), earning All-America honors from the Associated Press, USBWA, and Wooden Award, along with Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition.
She leaves Storrs as the program’s all-time leader in free-throw percentage at 92.5%, fifth in career threes made (292), and seventh in career three-point percentage (42.2%). The seventh UConn player selected No. 1 overall in WNBA Draft history, Fudd reunites with Paige Bueckers in Dallas after playing 49 games together with the Huskies — making two Final Four appearances, including the 2025 national championship.
On When Azzi Fudd and the Dallas Wings Knew
One of the most honest answers of the morning came early. Asked when during her senior season she realistically believed she might end up in Dallas, Fudd didn’t reach for a polished response.
“My honest answer is Monday night,” Fudd said. “My mindset this whole past college season was just to stay in the present, focus on my team, focus on winning, focus on getting better every single day. I knew that if I took care of what I needed to during my college season, what was going to happen at the draft was going to happen. I was going to land where I was meant to be, whether that was here with the Wings or in a different organization. I trusted that process, and I couldn’t be happier with how it worked out.”
The Wings, it turns out, had a much earlier answer than Monday night. Fernandez made his conviction clear when discussing the evaluation process — his first move after being hired was a trip to Storrs.
“After I got hired, the first trip I took was to Storrs for three or four days,” Fernandez said. “I sat down with Geno and got a full glimpse right away. I saw her play in the Big East and in the NCAA tournament. We never wavered — she was the right fit for this team and the locker room.”
Miller described the process that led Dallas to that conclusion — and why the pressure of holding consecutive No. 1 picks never rattled the front office.
“When you have the No. 1 pick, you control the process. The pressure isn’t as great as people think,” Miller said. “We take an ‘eyes, ears, numbers’ approach — watching, gathering intel, and using analytics. That process ultimately points you to the right decision.”
The result of that process, Miller added, has generated momentum that extends well beyond the draft itself.
“We targeted specific post players in free agency and landed them, then added an elite guard and shooter in Azzi,” Miller said. “Because of that, interest around the league has increased significantly.”
Two different timelines. The same destination.
On Physical and Mental Preparation
The turnaround from the end of UConn’s season to the start of WNBA training camp is famously compressed, and Fudd addressed it with the clarity of someone who anticipated the chaos and planned accordingly.
“This is the best my body has felt,” Fudd said. “I’m super excited to be here, to finally be here, to meet some of my teammates, meet the staff. I think just being super intentional since the beginning of this past season — starting with my diet, my regimen, my sleep schedule, everything — trying to control what I can control because I knew this next year was going to be chaos. So just continuing to be disciplined in how I take care of myself and my body. But I feel as prepared as I can be going into this.”
Asked what makes UConn produce players ready for the professional level at such a consistent rate, Fudd pointed to something more foundational than basketball.
“Just the standard of excellence the coaches and staff have every single day — whether it’s in the weight room, training room, or on the court,” Fudd said. “The level of expectations they hold you to — you don’t skip reps, you do everything with purpose and discipline. That prepares you for the next level and makes the transition easier.”
On Defense
Fudd’s shooting has dominated every conversation since the draft. But she pushed back on the idea that defense is secondary to her game — and was clear about where that mentality comes from.
“Defense comes down to how much you want it,” Fudd said. “I grew up with a coach — my dad — who emphasized defense, so I understand positioning and timing. My competitive spirit helps, and I’m ready to compete every day.”
When asked more broadly what she expects to bring defensively, her answer was characteristically direct.
“My willingness to compete,” Fudd said. “I’m going to be playing against the best in the world, so I know the odds are stacked, but I’m excited to compete and challenge everyone around me. I expect to be challenged back.”
On the WNBA’s Moment
Fudd enters the league at a historic financial moment. After a new collective bargaining agreement was ratified between the league and the players’ association last month, she is set to earn $500,000 in her rookie year — a dramatic increase compared to the $78,831 Bueckers earned as the first overall pick just one season ago. The players who negotiated that deal fought for years to get here, and Fudd made clear Thursday that she understands the weight of that sacrifice.
Fudd was asked twice about the state of the WNBA — and her answer went deeper than the surface-level enthusiasm the question typically generates.
“At the draft, I had the chance to hear from player reps and learn about the negotiations and everything they went through. It was enlightening,” Fudd said. “I think people are starting to bet on women. When you give them opportunity and visibility, you see how special the game is. The league is in an incredible place, and the growth isn’t stopping.”
She added that she doesn’t take the timing lightly.
“It’s such a privilege to be joining the league at this time, and one I don’t take lightly. I’m honored, excited, and blessed to be picked by the Wings,” Fudd said. “I’m grateful to be part of this league.”
On Her Mom and Family
Fudd is a second-generation draftee whose mother, Katie Fudd, was a 2,000-point scorer at N.C. State and Georgetown before a brief WNBA career of her own. Asked what her mother has meant to her journey, Fudd didn’t hesitate.
“My mom is incredible. I’m super lucky to have someone who has been where I’ve been and can give me great advice,” Fudd said. “She’s always encouraged me to take it all in, be aggressive, be myself, and stay true to who I am.”
She also acknowledged the broader family support system that has carried her from Arlington to Storrs to the professional stage.
“Their support has meant everything. They introduced me to basketball, helped me grow, and were at every game,” Fudd said. “Being able to share these moments — from college to the draft to now — is super special. I know this isn’t the end, and I can’t wait to see them at Wings games.”
Asked what she hopes to leave behind in the WNBA when it’s all said and done, Fudd answered the way she answers most questions — with simplicity and conviction.
“I hope my love of the game shows,” Fudd said. “My competitive spirit, my work ethic, being a great teammate. I hope I can help grow the game and leave it in a better place for the next generation.”
On Dallas
Fudd’s connection to North Texas runs deeper than draft night. She played in Fort Worth during the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds this past March at Dickies Arena — roughly 18 miles from College Park Center in Arlington, where she will play her home games starting May 12. When a reporter asked her during that Fort Worth stay whether she could see herself living in the area long-term, Fudd smiled and offered a coy “maybe.” The moment took on new meaning three weeks later when she heard her name called first.
Her familiarity with the market extended beyond the tournament. Fudd attended multiple Wings games at College Park Center last season as a supporter of Bueckers.
Thursday, sitting inside the Hyatt Regency ballroom just miles from the arena where all of that changes, Fudd made clear she has a specific agenda for getting acquainted with everything else the city has to offer.
“Everything. My first stops will definitely be barbecue and Tex-Mex,” Fudd said. “I love to eat. I want to explore the city, visit the stockyards, get a cowboy hat, and embrace the culture.”
She also offered a direct message to the fan base that will be cheering her on starting May 9.
“I’m super excited to be here. I can’t wait to play,” Fudd said. “I went to some games last year, so I’m excited to be on the court instead of in the crowd. I can’t wait to be part of that atmosphere.”
Looking Ahead to Training Camp
With introductions complete, the focus shifts to Sunday’s training camp opener. Fernandez indicated the groundwork is already being laid.
“We’ve already seen great habits from players who arrived early. I like the standards we’ve set in workouts. I’m excited to see how that carries into training camp — how we prepare, practice, and communicate,” Fernandez said.
Fudd, for her part, is ready to stop talking and start playing.
“I think what I’m most looking forward to is being here, getting on the court,” Fudd said. “I just got to meet some of my amazing teammates, but I can’t wait to get on the floor with them, learn from them, learn how to play with them, learn from the coaches, and really see how I can contribute and make this a winning organization.”
When asked who wins a shooting contest on this roster, she didn’t hesitate.
“I have to say myself,” Fudd said. “But I think it’ll be very competitive.”
The Wings open training camp Sunday. Dallas faces the Indiana Fever on the road on Saturday, May 9, at 12 p.m. CT to open the 2026 WNBA season.
More Azzi Fudd & Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Exclusive: Curt Miller On The ‘New-Look’ Dallas Wings, Frontcourt Chemistry, And Azzi Fudd’s Elite Ceiling
- ‘We’ve Known For A Little While’: Greg Bibb On Why Azzi Fudd Was The Only Choice For Dallas
- ‘She Was The Right Fit’: Jose Fernandez And Curt Miller Detail Drafting Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings’ Free Agency Moves
- ‘Nothing I Could Have Imagined’: Azzi Fudd Reacts To Dallas Wings Selection And Paige Bueckers Reunion
- ‘Ecstatic To Add Her’: Curt Miller Breaks Down Azzi Fudd As No. 1 Pick For Dallas Wings
- Dallas Wings Select Azzi Fudd No. 1 Overall, Reuniting Her With Paige Bueckers
- ‘Our Top Target’: Dallas Wings Sign Reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player Of The Year Alanna Smith To Three-Year Max Deal
