On April 13, the Dallas Wings cleared the air around the first overall pick, selecting Azzi Fudd as its top pick. The franchise evaluated the player’s capabilities and her UConn connection, making her an obvious choice as a top pick.
The player also impressed everyone in the training sessions, and the coach had positive words for the rookie, encouraging her to perform at the highest level. The team took a cautious approach and played her just 18 minutes in the opening game, and her latest update provides the actual reason for the limited game time.
Dallas Wings Provides Update On Azzi Fudd
With the first selection, the Wings earned a place among the top five sides in the league, but she didn’t start and played only 18 minutes in the whole game.
The Wings provided an update on her availability for the game and downgraded her status to ‘questionable’ for the fixture against the Atlanta Dream.
Jose Fernandez on if he wants Azzi Fudd to join the starting lineup at some point this season, via @DrakeKeeler:
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) May 11, 2026
"I don’t think about it that way. Is she capable of doing that? Yes, she is … When it does happen, I think she'll be ready."
Paige Bueckers already praised Angel Reese for her impact on the game, and now, without Fudd, the side might have to dig deep to compete in the game.
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In the first game, the player was also silent on the court, playing just 18 minutes. While her performance might impact her claim for the 2026 Rookie of the Year award. The last four Rookie of the Year winners were top picks from the respective drafts. But 2026 could break this chain.
Azzi Fudd’s Slow Start To Impact Her Rookie Of The Year Claim
The depth of the 2026 WNBA draft class created curiosity over the rookie competition. Awa Fam and Lauren Betts were top contenders alongside the top pick for the accolade, but Olivia Miles and Flau’Jae Johnson shone in their first games. Georgia Amoore also emerged as a dark horse WNBA Rookie Of The Year candidate.
In her debut with the Dallas Wings, Fudd recorded a historically low opening game, scoring just three points on only two shot attempts in 18 minutes of play. This performance set a record for the fewest points scored by a No. 1 overall pick in their WNBA debut in 20 seasons, creating immediate questions about her immediate impact.
Not the debut people expected, but that's part of the story too.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 11, 2026
Azzi Fudd in her WNBA debut on Saturday:
🔹 3 points
🔹 1-of-2 FG
🔹 18 minutes
It's the FEWEST points scored by a No. 1 overall pick in a debut in the last 20 seasons.
But one game doesn't erase the talent, the… pic.twitter.com/YXF22dTFag
In stark contrast, other top rookies stole the spotlight immediately. Olivia Miles had a dazzling debut for the Minnesota Lynx, finishing with 21 points, eight assists, and impressive all-around stats in a close loss. Similarly, Flau’jae Johnson made her presence felt immediately, scoring in the opening seconds of her game and showing immediate poise. While Fudd is a premier shooter, a slow start alongside peers’ strong debuts puts her early ROY standing at risk.