Ever since the Dallas Wings landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the buzz hasn’t slowed down - and for good reason. Sitting at the heart of that conversation is UConn guard Azzi Fudd, one of the most accomplished and recognizable names in college basketball today.
The intrigue here isn’t just about talent - though Fudd’s got plenty of that. It’s about chemistry, continuity, and the kind of on-court connection that’s already proven championship-worthy.
Fudd and Paige Bueckers - the Wings’ No. 1 pick in 2025 and the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year - were electric together at UConn. Their 2025 national title run wasn’t just a highlight reel; it was a masterclass in how two elite talents can elevate each other’s game.
Now, with Dallas holding the top pick again, the question is simple: could that duo reunite in the pros?
Fudd is making a strong case. Back for another season at UConn, she’s averaging 18.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting a blistering 49.4% from the field.
That kind of efficiency, especially with the scoring load she’s carrying, is a testament to her shot selection, offensive IQ, and ability to thrive within a structured system. She’s not just putting up numbers - she’s doing it in a way that translates to the next level.
Of course, the final call in Dallas won’t come down to sentiment or nostalgia. It’ll be about fit, vision, and building a roster that can contend. And that’s where new head coach Jose Fernandez comes into the picture.
Fernandez, who took over earlier this year, is already putting his stamp on the franchise - and he’s not wasting time getting a feel for potential draft targets. During a recent appearance on No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, Fernandez recounted a trip to Connecticut that raised more than a few eyebrows.
“I just ran into all of them in [Connecticut], which was very good to be able to do that,” Fernandez said. “Geno and I went out to dinner the night before.
One of my visits [was] to go see a young lady that everybody’s talking about as a prospective draft pick. I was there for three days, watched them practice, watched them play Ohio State, and spent a lot of time with [Geno].”
He didn’t name names, but the implication was clear. When you’re the head coach of the team with the No. 1 pick, and you’re watching UConn practice and play, it doesn’t take a detective to figure out who’s on your radar.
But Fernandez’s visit wasn’t just about watching a game - it was about understanding how players fit into systems. He and Geno Auriemma talked shop, diving into how Bueckers is used in UConn’s offense: pick-and-rolls, off-ball movement, transition reads - all the nuances that make her such a dynamic playmaker.
“Of course, we had conversations in regards to schemes, Paige with the ball inside pick and roll, in the slot, in the middle of the floor, when it comes off the glass, and she gets denied, and someone else brings it up, and her off the ball,” Fernandez explained. “It was great to get his perspective on things, because he cares deeply about her, and he cares deeply about her success in the future.”
That kind of deep dive matters. In Bueckers, Dallas already has a franchise cornerstone - a player you build around.
And in Fudd, there’s a potential co-star who knows exactly how to complement her. Fudd’s elite shooting, her ability to create off the dribble, and her comfort playing alongside Bueckers all make her a natural fit in a backcourt that could become one of the league’s most dynamic duos.
Of course, nothing’s set in stone. The Wings will weigh everything - from positional needs to medical evaluations to other top-tier prospects. But Fernandez’s extended stay at UConn, and his willingness to talk openly about studying a “prospective draft pick,” has only added fuel to the fire.
For fans dreaming of a Bueckers-Fudd reunion in Dallas, the pieces are starting to line up. Whether the Wings pull the trigger in April remains to be seen. But if they do, they won’t just be drafting talent - they’ll be betting on chemistry, continuity, and a championship pedigree that’s already been tested and proven.