Updated 27 July 2026 — draft position and contract terms verified against Spotrac and multiple outlets reporting the new WNBA CBA rookie scale.
Azzi Fudd is a professional. The Dallas Wings selected her first overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft on 13 April 2026, reuniting her with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, and she signed a four-year contract worth $2,238,360.
Her rookie-year base salary is $500,000 — and that number is the story. Bueckers, the No. 1 pick just one year earlier, earned $78,831 in her rookie season. Fudd earns roughly six times that for the same draft slot, because the league’s new collective bargaining agreement landed in between.
She made headlines when she committed to UConn on her 18th birthday. The top recruit in the 2021 class had been a rising star since age 12, drawing comparisons to greats like Maya Moore for her sharp shooting. Though a 2019 knee injury and pandemic disruptions slowed her progress, she bounced back strong in her junior year. She ultimately picked UConn, trusting the program to develop her game further.
Azzi Fudd Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| First Name | Azzi |
| Last Name | Fudd |
| Full Name | Azzi Jazlyn Fudd |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 2002 |
| Age | 23 (as of July 2026) |
| Birth Place | Falls Church, VA |
| Residence | Connecticut (near University of Connecticut) |
| Country | United States |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| Education | St. John’s College High School; University of Connecticut |
| Father | Tim Fudd |
| Mother | Katie Smrcka-Duffy Fudd |
| Nationality | American |
| Siblings | Jose, Jon, Thomas (three brothers) |
| Brother | Jose, Jon, Thomas |
| Religion | Not specified |
| Spouse | Not applicable |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Weight | 165 lbs |
| Height | 5’11” |
| Net Worth | Not Publicly confirmed |
| Category | Basketball player |
| Current Team | Dallas Wings (WNBA) |
| Position | Guard |
| Jersey Number | 35 |
| Years Active | 2021–present (college career) |
| Draft | 2026 WNBA Draft, Round 1, Pick 1 |
| Drafted By | Dallas Wings |
| Previous Teams | St. John’s College High School (high school); UConn Huskies (college) |
| Awards | – Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year (2019) – All-BIG EAST First Team (2025) – BIG EAST All-Tournament Team (2025) – NCAA Tournament Bridgeport All-Region Team (2022) – And others |
| 382K followers (@azzi35) |
Azzi Fudd Net Worth 2026
Her estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $800,000 — an aggregate of published estimates rather than a disclosed figure. It rests on NIL earnings of roughly $152,000 a year across her UConn career, totalling over $600,000 since 2021, plus the national championship bonuses and brand appeal that followed.
That figure predates her rookie salary. The four-year Wings deal breaks down as $500,000 in 2026, $520,000 in 2027 and $572,000 in 2028, with a fourth year at the team’s option that could escalate under the new CBA’s provision for exceptional players on initial contracts. Average annual value is $559,590.
2025 Season Highlights
Azzi Fudd 2024-25 season proved why she’s one of college basketball’s best. After a slow start (just 4 points vs. FDU in November), she caught fire. In February, she destroyed St. John’s with a career-high 34 points. Then she saved her best for last – 24 points in the title game to beat South Carolina, winning the championship and Final Four MVP.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd finally achieved their goal of winning a national championship together 👏 pic.twitter.com/apmmnFw8fj
— espnW (@espnW) April 6, 2025
Azzi Fudd put up 13.4 points per game this season, ranking third on UConn’s roster behind teammates like Paige Bueckers. Her strong play earned her a spot on the All-Big East First Team. When the stakes were highest in March, Fudd delivered – proving she thrives under pressure. These recent achievements (as of April 2025) show why brands see her as a valuable NIL partner.
NIL Deals
2021 NIL rule change opened new doors for college athletes, and Azzi Fudd seized the opportunity. She now earns an estimated $152,000 yearly from endorsements, ranking 12th among women’s college basketball players. Big-name brands have signed deals with her.
Endorsements Deals
Azzi Fudd landed her first big NIL deal with Chipotle in September 2021, starring in their “Real Food for Real Athletes” campaign. Just two months later, she scored two major partnerships: a unique equity deal with BioSteel Sports Nutrition and a sponsorship with Stephen Curry’s SC30 Inc. Through these deals, she not only promotes products but also gets guidance from Curry himself. She’s also the face of Curry Brand basketball shoes.
Azzi Fudd expanded her brand reach in November 2022 with a Nerf campaign featuring teammate Paige Bueckers, connecting with younger fans. The following year, she signed deals with major brands like Bose, Buick, American Eagle and TikTok. These partnerships show her wide-ranging appeal – from sports gear to fashion and tech.
Why Staying at UConn Paid Off Financially
Azzi Fudd made headlines on March 25, 2025 when she announced her return to UConn instead of entering the WNBA draft. Speaking to ESPN, she said simply: “I want to work on everything I need to work on.” This choice shows her commitment to improving her game, especially after injuries disrupted her junior season. Fudd’s focused on being fully prepared before going pro.
Coach Geno Auriemma backed the decision, stating plainly: “You wouldn’t do yourself justice leaving.” In hindsight the financial case is unusually clear-cut. Staying gave her another year of NIL income, the No. 1 draft slot in 2026 — and, crucially, it put her draft year on the far side of the new CBA. Had she declared in 2025 and gone first overall, she would have earned $78,831 as a rookie. Waiting a year turned that into $500,000.
Also Read- Paige Bueckers Net Worth 2025: Earnings and Endorsements After Historic Win
Personal Life
Azzi Fudd mom, Katie, played at Georgetown and NC State. Her dad, Tim, was a football player at American University. Their athletic backgrounds shaped Azzi’s early love for sports.
In a 2021 ESPN interview, Azzi said her parents helped her balance school and basketball at UConn. They taught her to value education. Off the court, she loves her golden retriever, Kobe—named after Kobe Bryant. She sometimes posts about him online.
Azzi Fudd keeps her personal life private and has not shared details about dating. Her focus has stayed on basketball, and she now begins her professional career in Dallas. Her strong friendship with teammate Paige Bueckers is well-known. Their chemistry on the court has turned into a close bond off it. Fans and media often call them the “dynamic duo.”
FAQs About Azzi Fudd Net Worth
What was her first major NIL deal?
Her first major deal was with Chipotle in September 2021 for their “Real Food for Real Athletes” campaign.
Why did Azzi Fudd stay at UConn for an extra year?
On March 25, 2025 she announced her return to UConn, citing a desire to keep improving and fully recover from past injuries. It also proved lucrative: entering the 2026 draft instead of 2025 meant her rookie contract fell under the new CBA, worth $500,000 rather than the $78,831 the 2025 top pick received.
