The WNBA introduced its 2026 All-Defensive Groups and drew quick backlash. Followers are outraged over Azzi Fudd being left off each squads regardless of her elite rookie defensive profile.
On October 15, 2026, the WNBA launched the 2026 WNBA All-Defensive First and Second Groups. The First Crew, headlined by Defensive Participant of the 12 months Angel Reese, additionally featured Rhyne Howard, Gabby Williams, A’ja Wilson, and Shakira Austin. In the meantime, Kiah Stokes, Veronica Burton, Jordin Canada, Sonia Cintron, and Breanna Stewart rounded out the Second Crew.
Regardless that all 10 chosen gamers had robust defensive seasons, followers have been fast to notice that the Dallas Wings rookie guard was omitted from each groups. Given her defensive manufacturing, many seen the omission as a serious snub.
Reacting to the zero All-Defensive recognition for the historic guard protection, one fan on X (previously Twitter) requested, “So Azzi wasn’t clamping everyone on protection?”
“I feel these in cost actually hate JY0 and Fudd!!” wrote one other.
@UnderdogWNBA I feel these in cost actually hate JY0 and Fudd!!
— Moe (@MGoudette) 6
A 3rd fan expressed their emotions, writing, “We’re disgusted she was robbed.”
“There isn’t a quantity of gaslighting that may persuade me this wasn’t a snub,” wrote one other dissatisfied fan.
One fan even argued, “The defensive stat strains all the time get slept on when its a guard who doesnt match the spotlight reel mildew however 2.6 is legitimately elite firm.”
As one fan known as Fudd “really underrated and missed,” one other sighed, “My Rook snubbed once more smh.”
Whereas some followers known as this a “#votermistakes,” others acknowledged the truth that she was dominated out for harm and didn’t play as a lot as the opposite contenders.
Referring to her 30-game stat line, one fan commented: “🥲 unhappy for my rook I imagine if she had the chance to complete the season she would have made it.”
Fudd posted 1.7 steals per recreation (fourth within the WNBA, first amongst all rookies) and 0.8 blocks per recreation in her injury-shortened 30-game rookie season. She was the one participant within the league’s prime 5 in steals who didn’t make an All-Defensive Crew. In her first season with the Wings, she delivered as a two-way participant and s.
The 2026 primary total select of UConn averaged 13.1 factors, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per recreation throughout her rookie season. Fudd reached 20 profession blocks in 20 video games. It’s the quickest any WNBA guard has ever completed so. She was capturing 39.7 % on 5.2 three-point makes an attempt per recreation for a Dallas group that earned the quantity seven seed within the playoffs.
Fudd’s 22 blocks via her first 25 profession video games have been essentially the most by a guard over the span since Alana Beard. She additionally set Dallas franchise rookie information for steals per recreation and ranked second in franchise rookie historical past in each blocks (25) and complete steals (52).
The 23-year-old additionally h 25+ three-pointers and 25+ steals. Moreover, Fudd set the Wings’ rookie information for steals per recreation in a season and most steals in a single recreation (5).
The first counterargument to Fudd’s All-Defensive case is availability. She performed simply 30 video games earlier than present process season-ending arthroscopic knee surgical procedure in August 2026. She ended up lacking virtually half the season. Due to this fact, some critics argued a partial season makes an official honor laborious to justify.
Fudd missed 14 video games in her rookie season with a proper knee harm, together with the ultimate 13 of the common season. Nonetheless, Fudd did make the 2026 WNBA All-Rookie group, led by Rookie of the 12 months Olivia Miles. If y, she may have made an excellent case for the All-Defensive group.
