Dallas Wings Coach Wants Rookie Azzi Fudd to Shoot More

First-year head coach Jose Fernandez has clear expectations for Fudd's role in the team's offense.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:48am

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Dallas Wings first-year head coach Jose Fernandez has made it clear that he wants rookie Azzi Fudd, the team's No. 1 overall draft pick, to be more aggressive in looking for her shot. Fernandez said he had to 'yell at her' during training camp and tell Fudd not to 'pass up open shots,' especially in the team's offensive sets designed to get her open looks. Fudd acknowledged this is a 'common trend' and said she needs to remember to shoot when she's open, with her teammates also reminding her of that.

Why it matters

Fudd is joining a talented Dallas Wings roster that includes fellow UConn alum Paige Bueckers and star scorer Arike Ogunbowale. Fernandez will need to find the right balance in utilizing all three players, and his comments suggest he wants Fudd to be more of a scoring threat than she may have been in UConn's team-oriented system under Geno Auriemma.

The details

Fernandez made his comments after the first day of Dallas Wings training camp on April 19. He said he had to 'yell at her and tell her, 'Don't pass up open shots.'' Fernandez added that Fudd 'better shoot the damn ball if she's open,' especially in the team's offensive sets designed to get her open looks. Fudd acknowledged this is a 'common trend' and said she needs to remember to shoot when she's open, with her teammates also reminding her of that.

  • The comments from Fernandez came after the first day of Dallas Wings training camp on April 19, 2026.
  • The 2026 WNBA Draft, where the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick, took place earlier in 2026.

The players

Jose Fernandez

The first-year head coach of the Dallas Wings who is looking to get rookie Azzi Fudd to be more aggressive in looking for her shot.

Azzi Fudd

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, who is joining the Dallas Wings after a successful college career at UConn.

Paige Bueckers

A UConn alum and Fudd's former college teammate, who is also on the Dallas Wings roster.

Arike Ogunbowale

A star scorer for the Dallas Wings, who Fernandez will need to balance with Fudd and Bueckers in the team's offense.

Geno Auriemma

The head coach at UConn, where Fudd played, and a close friend of Fernandez.

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What they’re saying

“I had to yell at her and tell her, 'Don't pass up open shots.' Especially in some of the actions we're going to run for her, she better shoot the damn ball if she's open.”

— Jose Fernandez, Dallas Wings Head Coach

“Seems to be a common trend. I mean, I don't know! I want to share the love. But remembering to shoot when I'm open, my teammates remind me of that. So it will be an easy adjustment.”

— Azzi Fudd

What’s next

The Dallas Wings will continue their training camp as Fudd looks to adjust to Fernandez's expectations for her to be more aggressive in looking for her shot.

The takeaway

Fernandez's comments highlight the challenge of integrating a talented rookie like Fudd into an already strong Dallas Wings roster. The coach is looking for Fudd to embrace a more assertive scoring role, which may require her to adjust from the team-first approach she thrived in at UConn.