Fudd is one of the best 3-point shooting prospects ever thanks to her picture-perfect form, lightning-quick release and ability to shoot off movement. She is also an excellent help defender and has good size on the perimeter. Plus, we’ve seen her win a national championship with Paige Bueckers at UConn, so there’s little doubt she’ll fit in seamlessly in Dallas. However, she is already 23 years old and doesn’t have the upside of some other prospects. This was the safe pick for Dallas.
Dallas started its work in the offseason, bringing in Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard to shore up its frontcourt depth. Fudd might not be the best player available in this year’s class. But her off-ball shooting and smart defense should shine alongside Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings, The Athletic
Fudd is the seventh UConn player to go No. 1, and she becomes just the third mother-daughter duo to have a WNBA connection. Fudd’s mother Katie Fudd (then Katie Smrcka Duffy) was the No. 62 pick in 2001. She never suited up, but it’s still incredible to have that kind of an intra-family connection for WNBA players.
In Fudd, the Wings have the best pure shooting prospect … ever? There may not be a player with a more textbook, smooth shooting motion than Fudd, and she had the highest three-point percentage (44.7%) of any player in this class. By reuniting Fudd with Paige Bueckers, the Wings should have their backcourt set for years to come.
It makes sense why the Wings drafted Fudd. She’s a prolific guard who helped lead the Huskies to a national title in 2025. She has established chemistry with Dallas franchise face Paige Bueckers from the duo’s college days. UConn puts good players into the WNBA, simply put. She, Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale present a lethal trio for Dallas at guard. You can’t knock the pick for the player alone. However, Awa Fam might have the highest ceiling of any player in this draft. Will Dallas regret this pick if Fam develops into the MVP-caliber player she could eventually be?
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.
