Wings Rookie Azzi Fudd Confused by Opposing Teams' Tactics Against Her

After scoring at least 22 points in her last two games, Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd fell back down to earth on Monday night.

The Wings blew out the Seattle Storm in a home game at College Park Center, 79-56. Fudd, however, was quiet in the lopsided affair.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft finished with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting, one rebound and one steal in 24 minutes of action. Fudd was active on the defensive end, though, registering a steal and one block.

Fudd spoke to the broadcast team after Monday's win. One of the subjects of conversation centered on defense. It was at that point that the 5-foot-11 guard admitted her confusion about opposing teams' tactics against her.

"I really think defense is mostly effort," Fudd said. "Just having that defensive mentality.

"I've been told that teams like to pick on me. I don't know why. I feel like I play pretty hard.

"I just try to make things difficult. Everyone in this league is extremely talented and can get whatever they want most nights. So it's my job to make things hard for them."

"Defense is mostly effort... I've been told teams like to pick on me? I don't know why I feel like I play pretty hard."



Azzi Fudd puts in the work to make sure there are no easy buckets pic.twitter.com/6YIIJ9kQ0B

— USA Sports (@usasports) June 2, 2026

In eight games played so far this season, the former UConn Huskies star is averaging 12.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks. She's also knocking down 1.8 triples per game on a 43.8% clip.

The fact that she's averaging a steal and a block per game proves that she can be a menace on the defensive end. She isn't exactly a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, but Fudd has proven that she can hold her own on that side of the ball. Her defensive effort also goes beyond the box score.

At this point, it appears that Fudd takes no issue with teams attacking her defense. If anything, it's an opportunity for the highly touted rookie to make opposing teams reconsider their tactics against her.

The Wings improved to 6-3 after Monday's win. They are one game behind the Minnesota Lynx for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Related: Wings Announce Exciting Azzi Fudd News Before Aces Game

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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 9:02 AM.