Azzi Fudd is going to be the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year. It’s as simple as that. Before the regular season gets started, I thought it would be fun to predict who will be the eventual rookie of the year. I can’t lie though, I am biased—she is one of my favorite players in all of women’s basketball. However, I think that her game will translate very well from the collegiate game at UConn to the WNBA.
She is one of the most pure shooters you will see in the game of basketball. Her crisp shooting stroke gives her unlimited range. While she is more of a catch-and-shoot player right now, I expect her to develop into somebody who can create her own shot. Not to mention, she has one of the quickest releases you will see. Her mid-range shot is seemingly unguardable. Even if the defenders in the WNBA are bigger and stronger, she is surrounded by players—specifically UConn teammate Paige Bueckers—who can find her at the right time and give her openings to shoot. She has an already pro-ready level build, and she is extremely muscular. This will allow her to also shine on the defensive end.
I am very aware that Fudd is surrounded by a talented rookie class. From Kiki Rice, Raven Johnson, Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, to many more, all of these players have the ability to make a difference with their prospective teams. However, Fudd’s offensive prowess is most translatable to the next level. For instance, her success in college wasn’t based on the fact that she was bigger and stronger than everyone else. Rather, her skillset is what placed her above everyone else.
I am weary of the pressure placed upon Fudd, however. Being the number one pick, everyone is going to be especially critical of her. If she has an off-shooting night, immediately social media is going to call her a bust. She must do her best to block out all the noise and simply play Azzi Fudd basketball. Being a highly ranked recruit coming out of high school, she is used to this, especially because all that fame followed her all the way to UConn. I’m not worried that she won’t be able to deal with the noise, but I am aware that this is always a challenge for the highest-ranked picks in the draft.
I encourage all of you to watch a Dallas Wings game this season. Fudd and Bueckers will turn heads, and this WNBA season will be one for the books. Caitlin Clark is finally back healthy, and the addition of new teams will draw viewers and create rivalries. I’m really looking forward to seeing Azzi Fudd light it up from beyond the arc at the next level.