Wings’ Azzi Fudd gets honest on rookie year growth after making first start

Before the season started, Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez made it clear that rookie Azzi Fudd would have to earn the starting spot, as the team was already loaded in the backcourt. It did not matter that Fudd was the top overall pick. She would have to fall in line.

After coming off the bench in seven games, Fudd was inserted into the starting unit against the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center on Thursday. She did not disappoint—against the defending champions, no less.

The 23-year-old guard scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. She added three rebounds and two assists to help the Wings defeat the Aces, 95-87.

It was a strong follow-up to her strong performance in their win over the New York Liberty on Sunday, wherein she logged a career-high 24 points, plus two rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.

In a report from ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the former Connecticut standout acknowledged her steady growth in the WNBA.

“I think just feeling more comfortable each game, being aggressive first of all, not hesitating when I’m open, not ever trying to force it to score,” said Fudd.

The Wings fought back from a 13-point deficit against the Aces to improve to 5-3. Las Vegas fell to 4-3.

Jessica Shepard was also phenomenal for Dallas, recording a triple-double of 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists to enter the history books.

Aces coach Becky Hammon, meanwhile, went off on the officiating after the game.

Fudd had a slow start to her debut campaign, but judging by her recent outings, it looks like she has started to adjust.

The core of Fudd, Shepard, Paige Bueckers, and Arike Ognubowale could do major damage as the season progresses.

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