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WNBA No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd questions leagueâs physicality
TL;DR
Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, questions the league's physicality after her first preseason game. She expressed confusion over the rules regarding fouls and physical contact.
Key points
- Azzi Fudd was selected first overall in the 2026 WNBA draft
- She played her first preseason game with the Dallas Wings
- Fudd expressed confusion about the league's physicality and foul rules
Azzi FuddPaige BueckersDallas WingsLas Vegas Aces
May 3, 2026; Austin, TX, USA; Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) loses the ball against Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during the first half at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Dallas Wings selected former UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd with the number one overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, reuniting her with her college teammate and the first pick in the 2025 draft, Paige Bueckers.
Fudd and Bueckers finished their first preseason together as professionals on Sunday with a 101-84 victory over the Las Vegas Aces. After the game, Fudd was asked about adjusting to the process of the leagueâs infamous physicality, but admitted sheâs not certain if sheâs experienced it yet.
âHonestly, I feel more confused. I thought you could be physical in the W, and anytime you touch someone, itâs a foul,â Fudd told reporters in a video posted by DCTFâs Melissa Triebwasser.
âI donât know. Iâm still figuring that out.â
Not alone
Fudd isnât the first rookie to express this sentiment. Minnesota Lynx first-round pick Olivia Miles said after her first preseason game that she wasnât certain if she had gotten to really experience the physicality just yet.
âI donât think this game was a fair test,â Miles said of the physicality after a game against the Washington Mystics, âjust because theyâre a bunch of young rooks too, so it kind of was like playing against college girls who I literally were just playing against, so Iâm excited to play like a vet, experienced, tested team. But nonetheless⊠they came out very strong. I thought Cotie was really great, setting the tone physically.â
Itâll be interesting if the regular season shows a league-wide trend toward tighter officiating.
Q&A
What did Azzi Fudd say about the WNBA's physicality?
Azzi Fudd expressed confusion about the league's physicality, stating that she thought physical contact was allowed but found that any touch often results in a foul.
Who is Azzi Fudd's teammate that was also a top draft pick?
Azzi Fudd's teammate is Paige Bueckers, who was the first pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.
What was the outcome of Azzi Fudd's first preseason game?
Azzi Fudd's first preseason game ended with a 101-84 victory for the Dallas Wings against the Las Vegas Aces.
