Is Azzi Fudd on her way to becoming the No. 1 Draft Pick alongside Paige Bueckers? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Last year, the Dallas Wings used the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft on UConn star Paige Bueckers. Her top teammate through college was sharpshooting guard Azzi Fudd, who is heading into the draft this year. Paige ended her college career with a national championship before getting picked number one. Now the big question is: could Azzi Fudd follow the same path?
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If Fudd lands the top pick this year, she and Paige could be reunited in Dallas. For fans, that would bring back one of the best duos in women’s college basketball.
Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and UConn had one of the most unforgettable runs during the 2025 March Madness. Even though Bueckers is already in the WNBA and Fudd is working her way back from injuries, they were once the heart of that dominant UConn team. Together with freshman star Sarah Strong, they scored 368 points during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the most any trio has ever scored in a single tournament. In the championship game, Fudd dropped 24 points, and Bueckers added 17 points and 6 rebounds, showing just how strong their teamwork was.
College Highlights (2024–25 Season)
Record Tournament Output: Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong combined for 368 points which is an all-time NCAA record for a trio.
2025 Championship Win: Fudd scored 24 and Bueckers added 17 and 6 boards to lead UConn to the title.
Sweet Redemption: Their 2025 championship came three years after a painful 2022 loss to South Carolina, making the win a full-circle moment.
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Pro Update for Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)
By mid-2025, Bueckers was already making waves in her rookie WNBA season. Over her first 10 games, she was averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, proving that she could carry her college success into the pros. Her mix of scoring and make plays made her one of the league’s most exciting young players.
Azzi Fudd’s Draft Outlook
Fudd has faced injuries, but she remains one of the most talked-about prospects in women’s basketball. She’s shooting a career-high 55.1 percent from three this season, though her three-point accuracy typically sits around 42 percent. That shooting will likely be her main role in the WNBA, but she also improved her defense at UConn. Teams project her to go to the Dallas Wings, the Seattle Storm, or the Chicago Sky. No matter where she lands, Fudd is expected to be a force.
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Bueckers and Fudd confirmed their friendship in 2025, often talking about how much they support each other. If Fudd gets drafted to Dallas, fans might once again get to see one of college basketball’s greatest duos of this time on a WNBA court.
