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WNBA insider shuts down coach’s Azzi Fudd vs. Olivia Miles declaration
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- WNBA insider shuts down coach’s Azzi Fudd vs. Olivia Miles declaration
WNBA insider shuts down coach's Azzi Fudd vs. Olivia Miles declaration appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Dallas Wings must be thrilled to have Azzi Fudd on the team. Fudd made a statement against the Liberty , scoring 17 points in the third quarter coming off the bench. The rookie's incredible performance has drawn mixed reviews about her immediate future.
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Wings head coach Jose Fernandez made a bold statement about Fudd after Sunday's big win. He suggested that Fudd's incredible performance is one reason why Dallas picked her with the first overall pick .
"Now everyone knows why we took her No. 1," Fernandez said, per The Athletic's Annie Costabile. "Right?"
Dallas chose Fudd with the first pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft . They selected her ahead of Storm center Awa Fam and Lynx guard Olivia Miles. It certainly looks like the Wings made the smart move by choosing Fudd after her impressive outing.
But not everyone agrees with that assessment.
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Costabile pumped the brakes on the Fudd hype despite the rookie's dominant performance off the bench against the Liberty.
"Unfortunately for Fudd and the Wings, one performance won't be enough to convince naysayers," Costabile wrote. "Consistency is the only answer with the strength to silence. But what Fernandez and company all appeared sure of after Dallas' win, capping a three-game trip, is that this game was Fudd's launching pad."
Fudd has yet to start a game for the Wings during her rookie season. Instead, veteran Odyssey Sims has stepped into the starting lineup next to Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale .
Fernandez gave a cryptic update when asked if Fudd would have a larger role after Sunday's 24-point outing. Either way, it is encouraging to see Fudd finally look comfortable against WNBA competition.
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Now the Wings should focus on getting ready for their next game later this week. Dallas hosts Las Vegas on Thursday May 28th at 8PM ET.
Related: Will Wings' Azzi Fudd start after breakout? Coach keeps it cryptic
Related: What Paige Bueckers said about Azzi Fudd's breakout explosion
