ARLINGTON, Texas — Azzi Fudd spent five seasons learning UConn’s language. Two games into her WNBA career, the Dallas Wings rookie said unlearning it is part of the ongoing process of turning pro.
Fudd, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, met with reporters after practice Sunday, one day before the Wings host the Washington Mystics. She missed the second game of the Wings’ season, a May 12 home loss to the Atlanta Dream, with a right knee injury. She said the new system’s terminology is a current focus.
“I was there for five years, so all of their play calls and defensive calls are ingrained in my brain,” Fudd said. “We even have a couple plays here with the same calls as UConn, so it takes me a second to realize it’s not the UConn play I’m running. Just making that flip and adjusting on the fly when I hear a call and making the right read, with time, I’ll get there.”
Fudd has averaged 5.5 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.0 steal in two games, shooting 55.6% from the field. She scored 8 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the Wings’ most recent game, a 90-86 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday.
Azzi Fudd Leans On UConn Foundation
Fudd said the program she is adjusting away from is also the reason she feels prepared for the jump. She pointed to the discipline and habits she built over five seasons in Storrs.
“The gift was definitely that I got everything I could out of UConn, out of the coaches, and out of that program,” Fudd said. “Learning the right way, the discipline, I feel like the foundation I built there has set me up well, and you see that every time a UConn player gets drafted and goes pro.”
Learning Pace And Physicality
Beyond the terminology, Fudd said the early games have been a lesson in tempo. She said she is working to vary her speed instead of playing at one gear.
“Learning when and where you can be physical, and learning the pace,” Fudd said. “Sometimes it’s easy for me to go one speed where I’m just all go, go, go. I’m learning how to slow down, stop, go quick, slow a little bit, and change my pace better.”
Fudd said the early schedule has already pushed her against a string of strong backcourts, and that each one has reinforced the value of preparation.
“Each backcourt is a little bit different, so it shows how important watching film is, learning tendencies, knowing when to go over, when to go under, when to switch,” Fudd said. “I feel like I’m still figuring that out, but you’ve got to be ready for everything because everyone in this league can do it all.”
Veterans Ease The Transition
Fudd said the adjustment has been smoother because of the veterans around her. She singled out Odyssey Sims and Alysha Clark, who she said often correct her before she has to ask.
“They can see my brain turning. They can see whatever just happened in that play, and they’re going to come to me and correct me, give me advice and tips on what to do and how to navigate things,” Fudd said. “I’m so fortunate to be on a team with vets and people with experience who are willing to help me.”
Fudd said she is also still settling into the rhythm of a professional season, from her off-day routine to building chemistry with her teammates.
“Every day I’m trying to be intentional about the cuts I’m making, the reads I’m making, talking more, and communicating as much as I can,” Fudd said. “As the season goes on and we get more reps together, it’ll get a lot better.”
Jose Fernandez On Azzi Fudd’s Progress
Head coach Jose Fernandez has brought Fudd along carefully through the first three games of the Wings’ season. She played 18 minutes in the opener at Indiana, sat out the Atlanta game with the knee injury and logged 20 minutes against Minnesota. Fernandez said the plan is to keep building her up, with her health driving the pace.
“There’s no question about how hard she works and where she came from and the really great things that she does,” Fernandez said. “It’s just continuing to get her up to speed in practice and now getting her more minutes as she feels comfortable with it. But the primary deal is making sure she’s taken care of health-wise as well.”
Fernandez said Fudd’s ability to score in more than one way already forces defenses to account for her. He pointed to how the Lynx defended her in Thursday’s loss.
“She can stretch the floor and create off the bounce,” Fernandez said. “I think some people try to take away her right hand. They did a good job the other night, and I don’t think we had a really good release valve for her when she got trapped over there in front of their bench. But I’d trap her as well to get the ball out of her hands because of what she can do.”
Up Next
The Wings close their three-game homestand Monday against the Mystics at College Park Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT on Peacock.
