Ever since the Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, speculation has followed closely behind it. At the center of that discussion is whether Dallas will use the top selection on UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd, one of the most recognizable and accomplished players in women’s college basketball.
The intrigue goes beyond talent evaluation. Fudd’s established on-court chemistry with Paige Bueckers — the Wings’ No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year — has fueled widespread interest in a potential reunion at the professional level.
Together at UConn Huskies, the duo helped anchor a championship run that culminated in the 2025 national title, offering a proven blueprint for how their games complement each other.
Fudd’s production this season has further reinforced why she remains firmly in the conversation at the top of the 2026 draft. In the 2025–26 season, she is averaging 18.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field, making a significant impact in her return for UConn. The efficiency and scoring responsibility she has carried highlight her ability to thrive within a structured offense while maintaining high-level shot quality.
For Dallas, the decision will ultimately be made by the front office. Still, the direction of the roster and the stylistic vision guiding it could be heavily shaped by new head coach Jose Fernandez, who was hired earlier this year to usher in a new era for the franchise.
A UConn Visit For Azzi Fudd
Fernandez added fuel to the conversation during an appearance on No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, where he detailed a recent visit to Connecticut that included extensive time around the UConn program.
When discussing his relationship with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and how it differs from the one Auriemma built with Bueckers, Fernandez referenced a scouting trip that quickly caught the attention of Wings fans.
“I just ran into all of them in [Connecticut], which was very good to be able to do that. [Geno and I] went out to dinner the night before,” Fernandez said. “One of my visits [was] to go see a young lady that everybody’s talking about as a prospective draft pick. I was there for three days, watched them practice, watched them play Ohio State, and spent a lot of time with [Geno].”
While Fernandez did not name the player directly, the implication was clear. Fudd, widely projected as a potential top pick in 2026, fits squarely within that description.
Dallas Wings Scheme Fit with Paige Bueckers
Beyond simply evaluating talent, Fernandez emphasized that his conversations with Auriemma centered on basketball specifics — particularly how Bueckers is used offensively and how that usage could translate to the professional level.
“Of course, we had conversations in regards to schemes, Paige with the ball inside pick and roll, in the slot, in the middle of the floor, when it comes off the glass, and she gets denied, and someone else brings it up, and her off the ball,” Fernandez said. “It was great to get his perspective on things, because he cares deeply about her, and he cares deeply about her success in the future.”
Those details matter in Dallas. With Bueckers already established as a cornerstone and Fudd known as an elite shooter and secondary creator, the schematic overlap raises the possibility of a seamless transition should the Wings choose to reunite the former Huskies backcourt.
A Decision That Extends Beyond the Pick
None of this guarantees Dallas will select Fudd when the 2026 draft arrives. Roster needs, health evaluations, and alternative prospects will all factor into the final call. Still, Fernandez’s extended presence at UConn and his openness about studying a “prospective draft pick” have only amplified optimism among fans eager to see a familiar pairing revived.
If the Wings ultimately decide that their long-term vision is best served by building around Bueckers with a proven collegiate partner beside her, the groundwork for that decision already appears to be underway.