Dallas Wings roster projection with Azzi Fudd: How UConn star fits with Paige Bueckers, more originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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After years of toil, the Wings finally appear on the brink of a resurgence.
Progress hasn’t always been linear in Dallas, which has qualified for the postseason in just five of its 10 seasons since moving from Tulsa. 2025 proved a dour campaign for the Wings, who tumbled to a 10-34 record, the joint-worst mark in the WNBA.
Still, there were reasons for optimism. Paige Buckers enjoyed a sterling maiden season in the pros, collecting Rookie of the Year honors and All-WNBA first-team distinction. Armed with her and Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas possesses a backcourt that shimmers like diamonds when its at its best.
On Monday, the Wings added another gemstone to their collection, selecting UConn guard Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft. Fudd and Bueckers’ chemistry is well-documented, spanning the course of their collegiate careers. While she has her limitations — particularly as an on-ball creator — Fudd, also known as “The People’s Princess”, should immediately make an impact as a three-and-D player.
With that, here’s how Dallas’ starting lineup could look following Fudd’s arrival.
MORE: Is Paige Bueckers still dating Azzi Fudd?
Dallas Wings roster with Azzi Fudd
Here’s a complete look at the Wings’ roster with the new addition of Bueckers. At this point, the roster stands at 14 players.
| No. | Player | Position | Height | 2025 PPG | School/Country |
| 5 | Paige Bueckers | G | 6-0 | 19.2 | UConn |
| N/A | Azzi Fudd | G | 5-11 | N/A | UConn |
| 9 | Grace Berger | G | 6-0 | 3.4 | Indiana |
| 52 | Tyasha Harris | G | 5-10 | 4.6 | South Carolina |
| 11 | JJ Quinerly | G | 5-8 | 6.5 | West Virginia |
| 10 | Aziaha James | G | 5-9 | 7.5 | NC State |
| N/A | Rayah Marshall | C | 6-4 | 1.7 | USC |
| 2 | Myisha Hines-Allen | F | 6-1 | 7.6 | Louisville |
| N/A | Jessica Shepard | F | 6-4 | 8.0 | Notre Dame |
| 28 | Awak Kuier | F | 6-6 | N/A | Finland/South Sudan |
| 24 | Arike Ogunbowale | G | 5-8 | 15.5 | Notre Dame |
| N/A | Ajae Petty | F | 6-3 | 0.0 | Ohio State |
| 20 | Maddy Siegrist | F | 6-2 | 12.7 | Villanova |
| N/A | Alanna Smith | C | 6-4 | 9.6 | Stanford |
| 31 | Christyn Williams | G | 5-11 | 4.3 | UConn |
| 28 | Li Yueru | C | 6-4 | 6.0 | China |
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Dallas Wings projected starting five
Here’s a look at the Wings’ projected starting five in 2026, along with each player’s 2025 stats:
- G Paige Bueckers (19.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.4 apg)
- G Arike Ogunbowale (15.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.1 apg)
- G Azzi Fudd (rookie)
- F Myisha Hines-Allen (7.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.9 apg)
- C Alanna Smith (9.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.9 apg)
Fudd will take her place alongside Bueckers and Ogunbowale, immediately becoming Dallas’ biggest shooting threat. Her value as a motion scorer should open the floor for the Wings’ dynamic backcourt duo, a pairing that is at its best when the ball is in their hands. Expect Fudd to be the target of countless floppy actions, flares and elevator screens — she’s a knockdown shooter with her feet set and is adept at evading her markers with stutters and half-turns.
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Fudd isn’t the only notable addition to Dallas ranks this offseason. The Wings shored up their frontcourt, acquiring Lynx bigs Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard in free agency. Smith tallied 135 stocks (steals and blocks) in 2025, ranking second in the league in that category. Smith also became one of eight players in league history to record 80 or more blocks in a single season. For her efforts, she was awarded the co-Defensive Player of the Year honors alongside A’ja Wilson.
Shepard, meanwhile, was one of the league’s best backup bigs, averaging 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 20.9 minutes per game. An elite passer out of the block, Shepard’s versatility should flash in Jose Fernandez’s system.
MORE: Where Paige Bueckers ranks among Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, and other UConn legends
The supporting cast beyond Smith and Shepard is a bit more murky, although Myisha Hines-Allen, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly and Maddy Siegrist should feature prominently. Awak Kuier will make her return after two years out the league; she’ll hope to showcase the potential that pushed Dallas to select her No. 2 overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft.
Ultimately, though, the Wings’ prospects will hinge on Bueckers, Ogunbowale and Fudd. Another strong campaign from Bueckers could see her garner MVP consideration — especially if Dallas surges up the Western Conference table. Ogunbowale, meanwhile, will look to put forth a better campaign than she did in 2025, when she posted career-lows in points per game (15.5), field goal percentage (36.4%) and three-point percentage (30.4%).
If the Wings’ trifecta is on point, the team stands to enjoy a far better season than it did in 2025.
MORE: Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart lead list of UConn players to be drafted No. 1 overall