Dallas Wings No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd has seen her WNBA Rookie of the Year odds tumble from +300 to +1600 in less than two weeks, with Olivia Miles, Flau’jae Johnson, and Pauline Astier all surging ahead of the former UConn star.
Azzi Fudd hasn’t shot out of the gate to start her rookie season(Image: Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Azzi Fudd already finds herself with significant catching up to do in the WNBA Rookie of the Year race.
Fudd, selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft, hasn’t made the immediate splash many expected as she begins her professional career.
The former UConn star is posting 7.7 points per game and has converted just one three-pointer across three WNBA contests, and although there remains ample time to establish her rhythm, oddsmakers have already labeled Fudd a distant shot to capture the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark has been told she needs her ‘Fearless’ era as playoff record questioned.
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Fudd started the season as second-favorite behind Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 draft, in the Rookie of the Year odds at +300.
Fewer than two weeks into the campaign, Fudd has tumbled to +1600, sixth in the betting markets and far behind Miles, who has surged to become the -200 favorite for the accolade, reports the Mirror US.
With the Lynx’s MVP contender Napheesa Collier remaining out with an ankle injury, Miles was thrust into a significant role immediately and has flourished. The 23 year old is posting 15.5 points (second-highest among first-year players) and 5.8 assists (tops among rookies) thus far and already appears to be an outstanding selection for Minnesota.
Olivia Miles has been the standout rookie so far in 2026(Image: Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Four other athletes presently have superior odds to Fudd, beginning with Golden State Valkyries guard and former LSU standout Flau’jae Johnson.
Johnson sits second in the wagering at +800 to claim Rookie of the Year after launching the season strongly by posting 12.5 points alongside 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest. Phoenix Mercury rookie Jovana Nogic – a 28 year old with seven years of professional experience overseas before making her WNBA debut this season – has already drained 15 three-pointers across five games, vaulting her to third-favorite for Rookie of the Year honors at +1000.
Much like Miles has stepped up for the Lynx in Collier’s absence, New York Liberty rookie Pauline Astier has seamlessly filled the void left by the injured Sabrina Ionescu, currently leading all rookies in scoring at 16.8 PPG.
Off the back of her impressive start, Astier sits at +1200 to become the first undrafted player in league history to claim the Rookie of the Year award. The French point guard edges out Chicago Sky’s Gabriela Jaquez, who sits at +1400.
There’s no need to sound the alarm for Fudd, who still has 40 games remaining to work her way back into contention. However, early indications suggest she may fall short of joining Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark on the list of recent No. 1 draft picks to claim the coveted accolade.