In a WNBA draft year without a clear-cut top prospect, speculation ran wild about who the Dallas Wings would select with the coveted first overall pick. But for the Wings' front office, the choice was never in doubt: UConn's sharpshooting star, Azzi Fudd.

Having secured the top selection for the second consecutive year, the Wings zeroed in on Fudd from the very beginning. "Obviously, it was a great draft class," Wings General Manager Curt Miller said. "But Azzi ultimately was the target."

Fudd arrives in Dallas with a championship pedigree and a lethal offensive skillset. In her final collegiate season, she averaged 17.3 points on an efficient 48.1% shooting, leading UConn to a 38-1 record and a Final Four appearance. Her resume is highlighted by a 2025 national championship, where she earned Most Outstanding Player honors alongside former teammate—and last year's No. 1 pick—Paige Bueckers.

While the reunion with Bueckers is a compelling storyline, Miller was quick to highlight Fudd's unique value. "While they’re terrific teammates... It’s about what they both individually bring," he stated, praising Fudd as "a true winner, competitor, hard worker" and "one of the most unselfish superstars at the collegiate level."

Miller specifically highlighted her offensive prowess, calling out "her elite shooting ability, her lightning-quick release" and her exceptional movement without the ball. This sentiment was echoed by new Wings head coach Jose Fernandez, who made a trip to UConn his first priority after being hired to evaluate Fudd firsthand.

"She was the right fit for this team," Fernandez explained. "She brings what this team needed in regards to spacing, her quick-release, her 3-point shooting. And she’s coming from a program that... knows how to win. That’s what we want here in Dallas." With Fudd's winning mentality and elite skill set, the Wings believe they've secured a cornerstone player to shape their future.