Azzi Fudd

Who Is Azzi Fudd?

Azzi Jazlyn Fudd is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is known by her devoted fans as “The People’s Princess.”

Fudd was selected as the first overall pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, becoming the seventh player in UConn women’s basketball history to hold that title — joining legends such as Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers.

Furthermore, during her career at UConn, she helped guide the Huskies to the 2025 NCAA national championship, two national championship game appearances, four Final Four berths, and 10 BIG EAST titles.

Her journey is one of talent, resilience, and refusing to be defined by injury.

Early Life: Born Into Basketball in Arlington, Virginia

A Basketball Family From the Start

Azzi Fudd was born in Arlington, Virginia, to former college basketball players Tim Fudd and Katie Smrcka-Duffy Fudd. She grew up in a family deeply immersed in the sport.

Her mother, Katie, played at NC State and Georgetown before being drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in the 2001 WNBA draft, while her father, Tim, played at American University.

Basketball was not just a pastime in the Fudd household. It was the language of the family.

Named After a Legend

She was named after Jennifer Azzi, a player whom her mother admired — the 1996 Olympic gold medalist whose accomplishments inspired Katie Fudd during her own basketball career.

Therefore, from the very beginning, greatness was woven into Azzi Fudd’s name.

Siblings

She has three brothers: older brother Thomas, and younger adopted brothers Jon and Jose. She grew up in a close-knit, athletic household that pushed her to compete and grow every single day.

First Scholarship Offer: Sixth Grade

She received her first scholarship offer in sixth grade from the University of Maryland — an extraordinary early recognition of a talent that was already impossible to ignore.

High School Career: A National Phenomenon at St. John’s

St. John’s College High School, Washington, D.C.

She attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., where she was ranked as the number one recruit in her class by ESPN and won national player of the year honors.

Her high school career was nothing short of historic. In 2019, Azzi Fudd was named the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She was the first sophomore ever to win this award. That season, she averaged 26.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. She led her team to a 35–1 record. They also won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) tournament title.

The Injuries Begin Early

Even in high school, Fudd faced setbacks. She suffered an ACL and MCL tear before eventually returning to lead her team. In her senior year, she averaged 25.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 steals.

Despite these challenges, her resolve never wavered.

The Recruiting Decision

During her storied high school career at St. John’s, Fudd was a five-star recruit and was the top-ranked player in the Class of 2021 according to ESPN.

She chose UConn. She was a top-ranked player who chose the Huskies over offers from the Terps and other major college programs, including UCLA, Louisville, Oregon, Kentucky, Texas, and Notre Dame.

Before her commitment, Fudd was one of the first two girls invited to Stephen Curry’s SC30 Select Camp. Fudd opened eyes there by besting some of the country’s top boys’ prospects in a 3-point shooting contest. That performance was a message to the world. She was already in a class of her own.

College Career: Five Seasons of Brilliance and Battles at UConn

Freshman Year — 2021–22: A Champion’s Stage at 19

Fudd arrived at UConn with the weight of enormous expectations. She delivered immediately.

On February 6, 2022, in Fudd’s first collegiate start against rival Tennessee, she finished with a career-high 25 points, along with four rebounds and four assists.

Fudd was on the UConn team that reached the 2022 national championship game as a freshman. She also earned a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team that year.

Sophomore Year — 2022–23: Injury Interrupts

Fudd averaged 15.1 points per game in her sophomore season. However, on December 4, against rival Notre Dame, Fudd suffered a right knee injury after a teammate fell on her knee. The injury cost her weeks of the season. She battled back — only to face yet another setback.

Junior Year — 2023–24: The Hardest Season

On November 22, 2023, it was announced that Fudd had torn her right ACL while practicing, ending her season. She played only two games that year.

This was the lowest point. But it would not be the final chapter.

Return and Redemption — 2024–25: National Champion and Final Four MOP

Fudd made her season debut on November 20, 2024, in an 85-41 win against FDU, opening her comeback with a statement performance.

What followed was historic. During the Huskies’ national championship run in 2024-25, Fudd scored 17.5 points with three steals per game, shooting 44% on 3s. She was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring 24 points with five rebounds and three steals in UConn’s win over South Carolina in the championship game.

Led by 24 points from Fudd and Sarah Strong and 17 from Paige Bueckers, UConn defeated South Carolina 82-59. This historic win helped secure their phenomenal head coach Geno Auriemma his 12th championship.

She had climbed back from two ACL tears to win a national title. The People’s Princess had her crown.

Senior Year — 2025–26: The Best of Her Career

Fudd returned for one final season. She saved her best for last.

Fudd played her best collegiate basketball season in 2025-26. Starting all 39 games, she averaged a career-high 17.7 points per game on personal-best shooting percentages (.489/.455/.955). Fudd set single-season career highs in points (673), rebounds (100), assists (117), blocks (18) and steals (97).

She was the Huskies’ second-leading scorer, averaging 17.3 points per game, and led the nation in 3-pointers made, sinking 117 of 262 attempts (45%).

She finished her career in the UConn record book at No. 5 in career three-pointers made (292), No. 7 in career three-point percentage (42.2%), No. 1 in career free throw percentage (92.5%) and No. 4 in single-season three-pointers made (117, 2025-26).

2026 WNBA Draft: First Overall Pick

UConn women’s basketball alumna Azzi Fudd was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.

For the second consecutive year, the Dallas Wings drafted a UConn star guard as the No. 1 overall selection. She joined her former teammate and girlfriend Paige Bueckers in Dallas. The two UConn stars are now professional teammates for the second time in their careers.

WNBA Rookie Season: Instant Impact, Then an Injury

Making History at All-Star Weekend

Before her injury ended her season, Fudd made waves in her rookie year. She made history during All-Star Weekend by becoming the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-Point Contest.

Rookie Season Stats

Fudd made an immediate impact during her rookie season with the Dallas Wings, averaging 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 30 games.

She averaged 13.1 points and 1.7 steals per game — leading all league rookies in steals — and earned a spot on the Associated Press WNBA All-Rookie Team.

Another Knee Injury: The Season Ends Early

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right knee and missed the remainder of the season, the team announced on August 19, 2026.

Despite this, Fudd set a Wings rookie record with 62 3-pointers and joined Caitlin Clark, Rhyne Howard and Tamika Catchings as the only rookies in WNBA history to record at least 50 3s, 50 steals and 25 blocks.

Even in a shortened rookie season, she rewrote the record books.

UConn Huskies of Honor: A Permanent Legacy

Azzi Fudd will be inducted into the UConn Huskies of Honor on November 8, 2026, roughly 30 minutes before the 2 p.m. ET tip-off against Iowa. It is one of UConn’s most cherished recognitions — a tribute reserved for those who have genuinely shaped the program’s legacy.

Education: Scholar and Athlete

Azzi Fudd has never let basketball define her entirely. She has pursued academic excellence with the same intensity she brings to the court.

Fudd graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. She received her master’s in business administration in May 2026.

She pursued a master’s degree in business administration while maintaining a 3.57 GPA. She has been named to the Director of Athletics’ Honor Roll for eight semesters at UConn.

Furthermore, this past summer, she hosted the ninth annual Azzi Fudd Basketball Camp, Hooping For A Cure. Fudd has historically donated funds to the Pat Summitt Foundation to fund Alzheimer’s disease research, but this year she shifted to honoring Abby Zittoun by donating to the AZ Family Foundation.

Personal Life: Relationship, Community, and Character

Relationship With Paige Bueckers

As of 2025, Fudd is dating former UConn teammate and Dallas Wings starter Paige Bueckers. The pair are now colleagues and partners — both on and off the court in Dallas.

A Leader Beyond Basketball

Even in high school, Azzi Fudd demonstrated leadership far beyond basketball. Fudd, who was the student body vice-president at the time, personally lobbied the school’s principal to allow informal games for her fellow students — showing a willingness to advocate for her community from a young age.

She was, and remains, more than a basketball player. She is a leader, a scholar, a philanthropist, and an advocate.

Career Achievements at a Glance

Award / Honor	Year
Gatorade National Player of the Year	2019
USA Today All-USA Player of the Year	2019
MaxPreps National Player of the Year	2019
McDonald’s All-American	2021
Morgan Wootten Player of the Year	2021
Big East All-Freshman Team	2022
2× First-Team All-Big East	2025, 2026
NCAA National Champion	2025
NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player	2025
Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year	2026
Women’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year	2026
AP & USBWA First-Team All-American	2026
2026 WNBA Draft — 1st Overall Pick	2026
WNBA Three-Point Contest Champion (first rookie ever)	2026
WNBA All-Rookie Team	2026
UConn Huskies of Honor Inductee	2026

UConn Career Statistics

Season	Games	Points/Game	3P%	FT%
2021–22	—	—	—	—
2022–23	15	15.1	34.0%	88.2%
2023–24	2	11.0	28.6%	100%
2024–25	34	13.6	43.6%	91.7%
2025–26	39	17.7	45.5%	95.5%
Career	—	14.7	42.2%	92.5%

2026 WNBA Rookie Season Stats

Stat	Total
Games Played	30
Points Per Game	13.1
Rebounds Per Game	1.7
Assists Per Game	1.8
Steals Per Game	1.7 (led all rookies)
3-Pointers Made	62 (Wings rookie record)