Azzi Fudd Eyes WNBA Future Amid Exciting Championship Run

STORRS, Conn. — Azzi Fudd, a standout guard for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team, is making waves as she prepares for her final season with hopes of winning a second consecutive national championship.

As Fudd gears up for the 2025-26 season, many are already speculating about her future in the WNBA. Predictions suggest she will be a top-five pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, potentially climbing even higher if she excels in her last year at UConn.

The Dallas Wings, who selected her former teammate Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick in 2025, hold a strong chance (42%) of winning the top pick in the upcoming draft lottery on November 23. Should Dallas secure the first pick again, they are likely to select UCLA center Lauren Betts to strengthen their frontcourt.

Despite the possibility of not teaming up with Bueckers, Fudd still sees value in competing against her. In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Fudd expressed her desire to play alongside Bueckers but acknowledged the excitement of facing her as well. “I definitely would love to play with [Bueckers] again. At the same time, I’d love to play against her. I think it’s kind of a win-win,” Fudd said.

Bueckers, meanwhile, shared her thoughts on facing Fudd, dismissing any concern about trash talk. “She’s really not that good at talking trash,” Bueckers joked. “I would mess with her, and then she’d get annoyed and irritated.”

This competitive dynamic adds another layer of intrigue to their potential futures in the league. Both players have hinted at rekindling their fierce rivalry from high school, stating they have not faced each other since those days, which leaves their matchups open to speculation.

As the WNBA landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on the outcome of the upcoming draft lottery, which could determine Fudd’s next step as she aims to balance this season with her aspirations of joining the professional ranks.