Azzi Fudd reaches WNBA career milestone at record pace in Wings’ win

The Dallas Wings continue to show the league they’re among the WNBA’s top new contenders, thanks to their duo of back-to-back No. 1 picks, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd.

On Sunday, the Wings’ pair of former UConn teammates stepped up in a major way, leading Dallas to a 89-76 victory over the expansion team, the Toronto Tempo. Bueckers finished with 22 points, seven assists, and three rebounds to lead the way.

However, Fudd also contributed 17 points in the win, along with three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. She also blocked one shot, which was a major milestone for the Wings’ rookie.

With that block, Fudd recorded her 20th career block, and according to Yahoo Sports, she did so faster than any WNBA player has in their career before her.

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While Fudd is achieving career milestones at a historic pace, she’ll likely shrug off the accomplishments in favor of helping this team win. So far, they’re doing that, as they have a 13-8 record.

In her first WNBA season, Fudd is averaging 13.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and one block per game. Those aren’t mindblowing numbers, but they’ve come as she was coming off the bench as a backup, rather than receiving an immediate starting spot with the Dallas offense.

Fudd wasn’t named to the WNBA All-Star Game, but teammates Bueckers and Jessica Sheppard were. Meanwhile, another rookie, Olivia Miles, was voted into a starting spot and is showing that she may have been a better pick at No. 2 overall.

Miles currently has averages of 18.5 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. However, something helping her statistically could be the absence of the Minnesota Lynx’s superstar, Napheesa Collier, who should return in the coming weeks.

While the Wings chose to draft Fudd first, it was likely partly because of her UConn background, which multiple WNBA superstars have had. Geno Auriemma coached her and Bueckers as teammates, so Fudd brings solid basketball skills and immediate chemistry to their lineup whenever the duo is on the court.

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