Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd has spent most of her rookie season turning heads as one of the best sharpshooters in the league, and she is now on track to establish a new record as well.  Fresh off becoming the first rookie to win the 3-Point Contest, the University of Connecticut star has already established herself as one of the brightest young stars in the W. Now, her steals are making headlines too.

According to Polymarket Hoops on X, Fudd is now on pace to have the most steals by a rookie in nearly 20 years. Since 2006, Alexis Hornbuckle had held the position for the most steals by a rookie, with her recording 79 in 2008. Now, with Fudd already at 45 steals with 17 games left on the Dallas schedule, if Fudd keeps up her season average of 1.7 per game, she’s projected to finish with about 29 more steals for a total of 74. However, that’s not the end of the conversation.

After a slower start to the season, she has quickly turned up her play as the season has continued. Over her last 15 games, Fudd’s steals per game average goes up to 2.1 per Statmuse, and if this is the form she stays on for the rest of the season, she will end the season with 81 steals, potentially beating Hornbuckle’s mark.

The achievement is not one many would have predicted for Fudd, who was widely regarded as a pure shooter in college basketball, but her emerging ability to disrupt passing lanes and pressure opposing perimeter creators has quickly become a defining feature of her play.

Heading into the All-Star break, Fudd was clearly the second-best rookie behind Minnesota Lynx sensation Olivia Miles. The Wings star is currently averaging 13.2 points on 45.7% from the field and 38.7% from three, while also adding 0.8 blocks per game at the guard position.

Her ability as a reliable 3-and-D option is nothing to scoff at, with her already ranking 4th for most games by a rookie in WNBA history with 3+ steals and 3+ threes, behind Caitlin Clark, Tamika Catchings, and Ruthie Bolton according to Statmuse. Fudd, coming off an NCAA championship win with UConn in 2025, is having a great rookie year in the W, according to her stat sheet.

Azzi Fudd’s record-breaking rookie year shows no signs of slowing down

Though Olivia Miles still leads many Rookie of the Year discussions, Azzi Fudd has built a compelling case for herself. Earlier this season, she became the fastest player since 2002 to reach 40 threes and 40 steals, then also joined Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings as one of two rookies who have recorded a 20-game span with 35 threes, 35 steals, and 20 blocks.

The latest highlight of her rookie season came at All-Star Weekend, when she took home the 3-Point Contest Trophy when she beat Portland Fire star Bridget Carleton in a stunning display, making 21 of her 27 shots in the final round.

After the event, she also playfully renewed her rivalry with Stephen Curry for a shooting showdown.

“Steph, if you’re listening, I’ve been asking for a rematch since high school,” she told reporters when asked about potentially facing Curry in a 3-Point Contest. “So maybe this is our time to figure out a time and place.”

Fudd was previously bested by the Golden State Warriors’ star at his SC30 Basketball Camp back in 2018, when Fudd was only 15 years old. She is sure to put up a better fight this time around.

The Dallas Wings are currently fourth in the league, with a record of 18-9. Fudd leads the team in steals, while her UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, leads the Wings in both points and assists. Now, as the second half of the season begins, Azzi Fudd has another piece of history within reach, but only time will tell if she accomplishes a defensive record that has stood untouched for nearly two decades.