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

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings walked off draft night with two new players, a reshaped roster, and a front office that hasn’t slept much in five days.

Monday’s post-draft press conference offered the most comprehensive public accounting yet of how general manager Curt Miller and head coach Jose Fernandez approached one of the most consequential offseasons in franchise history.

The headline was Azzi Fudd at No. 1. But the conversation went well beyond the pick.

Free Agency Made the Decision Clear

Miller opened by crediting the collaboration behind the pick — specifically calling out assistant general managers Travis Charles and Jasmine Thomas — before acknowledging what the offseason’s free agency activity meant for the draft decision.

“We had an outstanding free agency in the post,” Miller said. “I will tell you that Azzi was our pick, but the success we had in free agency made it crystal clear that we had put together a group I’m excited for Jose and his staff to coach.”

That success was significant. Dallas signed Alanna Smith to a three-year max deal, added Jessica Shepard, retained Li Yueru, brought back Awak Kuier, and re-signed Arike Ogunbowale — all before the draft began. With frontcourt depth addressed, the path to Fudd cleared itself.

Miller was equally emphatic about what the organization’s financial investment has meant for its ability to compete on the open market.

“I can’t begin to express how much the Dallas organization is financially pouring into these decisions and investing back into the players,” Miller said. “Players around the league are feeling it through our free agency pitches. The millions of dollars invested by ownership from last year to this year have positioned Dallas to be one of the major players in this league.”

He also acknowledged the emotional weight of navigating a process unlike anything the league had experienced before under the new CBA.

“Jose literally picked me up off the ground one day when I felt like everything was unraveling,” Miller said. “Five minutes later, we got the call we wanted. Everyone had each other’s back, stayed the course, and worked relentlessly.”

Embracing an early process, Fernandez credited the full organizational infrastructure for making it possible.

“A lot of people behind the scenes helped. The front office, ownership, the preparation, the video presentations, deck presentations, Zoom calls — it was a full organizational effort,” Fernandez said. “The success started early. Two weeks after I got hired, we were already preparing — scouting draft prospects and free agents. That work began in November.”

Jose Fernandez on Azzi Fudd’s Fit and What Comes Next

The process of evaluating Fudd began quickly. Fernandez described his evaluation process in concrete terms. His first move after being hired was a trip to Storrs to sit down with Geno Auriemma as part of the information-gathering process.

“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. She brings spacing, a quick release, three-point shooting, and comes from a program that knows how to win. That’s what we want in Dallas.”

He laid out specifically how Fudd will be deployed alongside Paige Bueckers and Ogunbowale — and why the frontcourt additions matter directly to her transition as a rookie.

“When we went through this process and built this roster, we needed to address three-point shooting and floor spacing,” Fernandez said. “Now having Paige, Arike, and Azzi on the floor together, along with what we addressed in free agency with our front line, there are different lineups we can play. It’s more relaxed for her coming in. The post players we added will free her up. She’ll get open in transition and in the half court, where you can run so many things — pin-downs, staggers, flares. She reads defenses well when she curls.”

Miller added context on how the pieces fit together on the offensive end.

“Azzi is the right fit with this group. Paige and Arike have the ball, and Azzi fits because she’s so good off the ball. That’s a great combination,” Miller said. “She’s unselfish and does all the little things. We’re excited about how the pieces come together. It will take time for Jose to work his magic, but we’re excited about how she fits into what we’re building.”

After adding Smith and Shepard, Fernandez was equally direct about the offensive threat the full roster now presents with the frontcourt versatility they now bolster.

“When you look at this roster — Paige, Arike, Azzi, along with the front line — it’s going to be tough to guard us,” Fernandez said. “Now you add Jess and Alanna and involve them in pick-and-roll situations with Paige, it’s going to open up a lot for Arike and Azzi on the perimeter. People may wonder how we’ll defend, but they’ll also have to figure out how to guard us.”

Both acknowledged that integrating a roster this new will require patience alongside ambition.

“It’s going to take time — there are a lot of new parts, new terminology, and a new style — but with some grace, I’m excited to see where this team is in July and beyond,” Miller said.

On Azzi Fudd’s Development

When evaluating Fudd, Miller made it clear that the perspective was formed independently of her previous experience playing with Bueckers, and that her growth from one season to the next was among the most compelling factors in the decision. Dallas is eager to add the “lightning-quick release” and versatile shooting talent that Fudd brings to any offense.

“First and foremost, you evaluate them differently. You see Paige for who she is, and you see Azzi for who she is,” Miller said. “Her offensive shooting ability stands out — her lightning-quick release and movement. Her compete level on the defensive end this year was truly special. Watching her growth from last year to this year was impressive. The partnership is wonderful, but this night is about Azzi.”

There is further room for Fudd to expand her game and grow. Fernandez identified her development as an on-ball creator as the next frontier — and the area where Dallas’ player development staff will focus its energy.

“We saw a lot of growth in her from last year to this year on the defensive end. That’s why the staff I hired is strong in player development,” Fernandez said. “As she continues to add creating off the bounce — going right and left — it’s only going to increase her value. Teams will crowd her at the three-point line. She’ll be top-sided and have to create off the bounce. That’s the next step, and I’m excited to get her to Dallas and start working with our staff.”

Fudd arrives with a profile that provides the development process with a strong foundation. In her final season at UConn, she started all 39 games and averaged a career-high 17.7 points per game while shooting 48.9% from the floor, 45.5% on 3-pointers, 95.5% on free throws — 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). She finishes her UConn career as the program’s all-time leader in free-throw percentage (92.5%), fifth in career threes made (292), and seventh in career three-point shooting (42.2%).

On Intangibles and Locker Room Culture

Both Miller and Fernandez returned repeatedly to character as the factor that ultimately separated Fudd from the field in a draft class where the talent gap between the top four was genuinely thin.

“The intangibles were ultimately the deciding factor — she’s a unifier in the locker room, a great teammate, and has all the characteristics we’re trying to accumulate,” Miller said. “She adds to the culture we’re building in Dallas. You win first in the locker room. We’ve filled it with high-character players. Our talent level has improved through free agency and the draft, but we’re just as excited about the character we’ve added. Azzi is one of those players.”

With work ethic as a key observation, Fernandez echoed the sentiment with specificity.

“Her personal investment in her growth stands out. She wants to be great. The great ones want to be coached and told the truth,” Fernandez said. “She has an incredible work ethic and does things outside required time. That’s why she’s special.”

Miller also confirmed that Bueckers and Ogunbowale were part of the process, consistent with the organization’s approach to roster construction under the current staff.

“At this level, there is collaboration with your star players. We talked with Arike and Paige through the free agency and expansion processes. They knew how we were evaluating players. We believed four players separated themselves in this draft, and we ultimately made our decision. That partnership with players is very important,” Miller said.

The Third-Round Pick: Zee Spearman

Dallas also used the No. 31 overall pick to select Tennessee forward Zee Spearman — a 6-foot-4 athlete with length, versatility, and international experience.

“We were excited that Zee was available to start the third round,” Miller said. “She brings excellent length and athleticism and has shown the ability to play inside and out. She has only started to scratch the surface of her potential.”

Spearman began her collegiate career at the University of Miami before transferring to Tennessee for her final two seasons. She averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds over 30 games in her senior campaign, scoring in double digits 16 times while leading the Lady Vols in offensive rebounds (2.9) and blocks (1.3) per game. She also brings international experience, representing the United States as a member of the 2025 USA Basketball Women’s 3×3 Nations League Team — going 14-2 en route to the Americas Conference title.

Fernandez identified her as a player the organization plans to reintroduce to the paint while leveraging her perimeter ability.

“We really like her athleticism, size, and versatility. She can stretch the floor, she’s long, athletic, can run, block shots, and is active. She’s ready to get to work and get to Dallas,” Fernandez said.

Miller connected the Spearman pick to a broader organizational philosophy that has defined the entire offseason.

“There was intentionality this offseason to get longer and improve defensively in the post. On the first day of free agency, we signed 6-foot-4, 6-foot-4, and 6-foot-6 players. Now we’ve added more length through the draft,” Miller said. “Spearman is long and athletic. She played a lot on the perimeter, but we’ll reintroduce her to the paint. She has the ability to handle the ball and play in DHO actions. Her best days are ahead — she’s just scratching the surface.”

On the Chaos and What’s Next

Miller didn’t sugarcoat the toll the condensed offseason has taken. The new CBA compressed what is normally a months-long process into days, forcing the entire league to operate at a pace none of its executives had experienced before.

“I’m not sure it affected the draft specifically, but I’m not sure how we all got through it,” Miller said. “I’ve probably lost nine or ten pounds in five days. We haven’t slept much. We were averaging 80 to 100 phone calls a day. That’s not an exaggeration. This process was something none of us around the league have ever been through.”

Despite that, the shift in expectations heading into the 2026 season is palpable. Both Miller and Fernandez made clear that this organization is no longer in rebuild mode.

“I was brought here to win, and that’s what I plan to do,” Fernandez said.

Miller framed it in terms of daily standards rather than outcomes.

“It’s about the day-to-day standards. The wins will come, but the culture and accountability will be set daily by this group and coaching staff. That’s what I’m most excited about,” Miller said.

As for whether the roster is finished, neither man was willing to say so.

“We’re not done. We still need to get players into training camp. Some international players will arrive late, so we’re continuing to work even after this call,” Miller said.

Fernandez, characteristically, kept it simple.

“We’re never done,” Fernandez said.

Miller repeated it three times.

“Never done,” Miller said. “Never done. Never done.”

The Wings open the regular season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Indiana Fever on May 9, with a 12 p.m. CT tip-off time.

More Azzi Fudd & Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal

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• ‘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
• Rebecca Lobo On Azzi Fudd Going No. 1 To Dallas Wings: ‘She Has WNBA All-Star Potential As A Rookie’
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