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 Spacing: As Siegrist noted, “anytime you can shoot the ball efficiently, it’s great.” Pairing Fudd’s 117 made threes with Siegrist’s own perimeter gravity creates a “pick your poison” scenario for WNBA defenses that used to clog the paint against Dallas.
- The “Surreal” Transition: Having been through the “chair” herself, Siegrist’s empathy for the draft process humanizes the Fudd selection. Her leadership will be vital in helping Fudd and Paige Bueckers navigate the expectations of back-to-back No. 1 picks.
- Market Momentum: Siegrist hit the nail on the head regarding draft discourse. The uncertainty of the 2026 cycle—the first in years without a “locked-in” No. 1 like Caitlin Clark or Aliyah Boston—has peaked fan interest just as the Wings finalized their most talented roster in years.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Maddy Siegrist has been through the draft process. She knows what it feels like to sit in that chair and wait. On Monday night, she watched Azzi Fudd go through it — and had plenty to say about what the No. 1 overall pick means for the Dallas Wings.
“I think for all the kids, the players getting drafted tonight, you’re just so nervous,” Siegrist said. “You don’t know where you’re going to go, even with the projections — you think you know, you don’t really know. So that, I think, is just such a surreal moment, and you can finally catch your breath a little bit.”
A Big East Bond
Siegrist didn’t need much convincing on the fit. A product of Villanova and the Big East herself, she immediately recognized the thread connecting her to Dallas’ newest Wing.
“I’m from Villanova, the Big East as well, so my time there — obviously just a great player, a shooter — but I think that’s a great piece,” Siegrist said.
It’s a connection that runs deeper than geography. Siegrist and Fudd competed in the same conference, understand the same offensive system principles, and share a shooting-first mentality that head coach Jose Fernandez is building his offense around. Fudd led all of Division I with 117 three-pointers made last season while shooting 48.9% overall, 45.5% from beyond the arc, and 95.5% on free throws at UConn.
For a Dallas team that ranked last in the league in three-point attempts last season at 21.6 per game while converting at 30.4%, adding another proven perimeter shooter alongside Siegrist only compounds the problem defenses face.
“I think anytime you can shoot the ball efficiently, it’s great,” Siegrist said.
Building in Dallas
Siegrist has had a front-row seat to the Wings’ aggressive offseason, and she’s liked what she’s seen. Dallas re-signed Arike Ogunbowale, signed Alanna Smith to a three-year max deal, added Jessica Shepard, and brought back Awak Kuier — all before Fudd’s name was called Monday night.
“Yeah, I think we’ve brought in a lot of great pieces. We’ve signed a lot of great kids to camp, so I’m really excited to get on the court with everybody. Just to start to get to play with people,” Siegrist said.
She drew a direct line between the excitement surrounding this draft class and the momentum Dallas has been building since Paige Bueckers arrived as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025.
“Yeah, I think you get this in and just continue to build and just grow here in Dallas,” Siegrist said.
On the Draft Discourse
Siegrist also reflected on how the uncertainty around this year’s top pick — with Fudd, Awa Fam, Lauren Betts, and Olivia Miles all generating legitimate No. 1 hype for months — has been good for the sport.
“I think it’s exciting. I mean, how many people are talking about it? It’s just great for the game in general,” Siegrist said. “I think the last few years it’s been pretty solid who was going to be No. 1, so this is just exciting to hear all the different thoughts and opinions. It’s a testament to how many great players there are.”
She’s not wrong. After three consecutive drafts where the top pick was never seriously in doubt — Bueckers in 2025, Caitlin Clark in 2024, Aliyah Boston in 2023 — the genuine debate this cycle generated a level of pre-draft conversation the league hasn’t seen in years. Now that the answer is in, Siegrist is ready to get on the court.
The 2026 WNBA season tips off May 8. However, the Wings begin the regular season on May 9 against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge with tip-off set for 12 p.m. CT.
More Azzi Fudd & Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘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
- Rebecca Lobo On Azzi Fudd Going No. 1 To Dallas Wings: ‘She Has WNBA All-Star Potential As A Rookie’
- Evaluating Top Options For Dallas Wings At No. 1 Overall In 2026 WNBA Draft
- Dallas Wings Sign Four To Training Camp Contracts, Including Amy Okonkwo
- ‘Positioned To Be Very Aggressive’: How Dallas Wings Executed Curt Miller’s Vision Laid For Offseason Moves
- ‘Our Top Target’: Dallas Wings Sign Reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player Of The Year Alanna Smith To Three-Year Max Deal
