Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers reunite in Dallas following UConn success

TL;DR

Azzi Fudd has been drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft, reuniting her with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers. The duo previously won a National Championship together and had significant success during their college careers.

Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers reunite in Dallas following UConn success originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Wings have officially drafted UConn guard Azzi Fudd, with the number one selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft, and pairing her up with former teammate and last year’s number one pick, Paige Bueckers.

Fudd and Bueckers were teammates at UConn for four seasons from 2021-22 to 2024-25, where they managed to win a National Championship together in their final year as teammates. Although teammates for four seasons, they only shared the court together for three of them, with Bueckers being sidelined in 2022-23 with a torn meniscus.

Overall, in their four seasons for the Huskies, they managed three Final Four appearances and four Big East regular season and conference tournament championships. They fed off of each other as well, with Bueckers averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, and Fudd at 13.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists when sharing the court.

Dallas addresses desperate shooting needs

Yes, Fudd and Bueckers have a close relationship on and off the court, but Dallas is addressing a real need here as one of the worst shooting teams last season. The Wings shot 42.3% from the field and 30.4% from deep last year, both of which were bottom three in the WNBA.

Fudd brings elite-level shooting, having shot 46.9% from the field and 42.2% from three (2.5/6) for her collegiate career. She’s coming off a career-high season across the board last season at 17.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 48.1% overall and 44.7% from deep.

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We’ll get our first look at the two on the court together for the Wings' first preseason game on April 30th against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Dallas also opens up their regular season against the Fever on May 9th.