The WNBA announced its 2026 All-Defensive Teams and drew immediate backlash. Fans are outraged over Azzi Fudd being left off both squads despite her elite rookie defensive profile.
On October 15, 2026, the WNBA released the 2026 WNBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams. The First Team, headlined by Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, also featured Rhyne Howard, Gabby Williams, A'ja Wilson, and Shakira Austin. Meanwhile, Kiah Stokes, Veronica Burton, Jordin Canada, Sonia Cintron, and Breanna Stewart rounded out the Second Team.
Even though all 10 selected players had strong defensive seasons, fans were quick to note that the Dallas Wings rookie guard was omitted from both teams. Given her defensive production, many viewed the omission as a major snub.
Reacting to the zero All-Defensive recognition for the historic guard defense, one fan on X (formerly Twitter) asked, "So Azzi wasn't clamping everybody on defense?"
"I think those in charge really hate JY0 and Fudd!!" wrote another.
A third fan expressed their feelings, writing, "We're disgusted she was robbed."
"There is no amount of gaslighting that can convince me this wasn't a snub," wrote another disappointed fan.
One fan even argued, "The defensive stat lines always get slept on when its a guard who doesnt fit the highlight reel mold but 2.6 is legitimately elite company."
As one fan called Fudd "truly underrated and overlooked," another sighed, "My Rook snubbed again smh."
While some fans called this a "#votermistakes," others acknowledged the fact that she was ruled out for injury and didn't play as much as the other contenders.
Referring to her 30-game stat line, one fan commented: "🥲 sad for my rook I believe if she had the opportunity to finish the season she would have made it."
Fudd posted 1.7 steals per game (fourth in the WNBA, first among all rookies) and 0.8 blocks per game in her injury-shortened 30-game rookie season. She was the only player in the league's top five in steals who didn't make an All-Defensive Team. In her first season with the Wings, she delivered as a two-way player and one of the league's top three-point threats .
The 2026 number one overall pick out of UConn averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game during her rookie season. Fudd reached 20 career blocks in 20 games. It is the fastest any WNBA guard has ever done so. She was shooting 39.7 percent on 5.2 three-point attempts per game for a Dallas team that earned the number seven seed in the playoffs.
Fudd's 22 blocks through her first 25 career games were the most by a guard over the span since Alana Beard. She also set Dallas franchise rookie records for steals per game and ranked second in franchise rookie history in both blocks (25) and total steals (52).
The 23-year-old also became the fastest player since 2002 to reach 25+ three-pointers and 25+ steals. Furthermore, Fudd set the Wings' rookie records for steals per game in a season and most steals in a single game (five).
The primary counterargument to Fudd's All-Defensive case is availability. She played just 30 games before undergoing season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery in August 2026. She ended up missing almost half the season. Therefore, some critics argued a partial season makes an official honor hard to justify.
Fudd missed 14 games in her rookie season with a right knee injury, including the final 13 of the regular season. However, Fudd did make the 2026 WNBA All-Rookie team, led by Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles. If Fudd's rookie season hadn't been cut short by a knee injury , she could have made a good case for the All-Defensive team.
