Azzi Fudd has yet to start in a WNBA game, a fact that hasn’t escaped fans and pundits alike. After the Dallas Wings picked up their second loss in Fudd’s debut season, head coach Jose Fernandez had some details to dish out regarding the condition of the number one overall pick.
Speaking to reporters after the Wings lost 90-86 to the Minnesota Lynx, Fernandez clarified that Fudd’s role as a bench player isn’t necessarily due to underperformance.
“We’re easing her into a bigger part and getting more minutes,” Fernandez said.
For one reason or another, Fernandez decided that the one-time national champion and former NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player needed more time to ease into the Wings’ system. After averaging over 28 minutes in her final season at UConn, Azzi Fudd spent 20 minutes or less on the floor in each of her first two WNBA games.
Fudd, it should be pointed out, missed the Wings’ second regular season game due to a knee injury. It’s possible, then, that her limited time against the Lynx on Thursday was simply a precaution.
However, Fudd’s minutes will have to pick up sooner rather than later in order for her full potential to be unleashed. Her combined output for her first two games with the Wings is eight points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field, along with two rebounds.
Wings HC Urges Azzi Fudd and Her Teammates to “Just Play the Right Way” Despite Their Limited Minutes
In the same post-game media availability, Jose Fernandez had a word of advice for Azzi Fudd and her teammates who aren’t getting a huge chunk of minutes.
“Whatever the minutes she [Awak Kuier] gets or Maddy [Siegrist] gets, or [Alanna Smith] gets, or [Azzi] Fudd gets…just defend, make use of your minutes, make shots, play the right way, you know?”
At the very least, Fudd gets to temper her expectations as her coach has made it clear how he wants the no. 1 draft pick to play.