Azzi Fudd Coolly Evades Question About Potentially Joining Napheesa Collier's Minnesota Lynx

Azzi Fudd is preparing for her final season with UConn before potentially transitioning to the WNBA. Fudd is expected to be a lottery pick next year and, having spent a lot of her childhood in Minnesota, landing on the Lynx could be a dream scenario for her.

The Lynx acquired the Sky's first-round pick and are guaranteed a top-four selection due to Chicago's dismal 23-61 record over the last two seasons.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Katie Barnes spoke to Azzi Fudd over a card game called "Dinger." Fudd revealed that one of the things she might miss after joining the league would be spending time at her grandparents' house in Minnesota. She said that she spent many summers in Minnesota playing card games with her family.

Barnes then presented a scenario in which Fudd could have the opportunity to be around her grandparents, joining Napheesa Collier's Minnesota. However, when the ESPN reporter mentioned that the Lynx held the Chicago Sky's lottery pick, Fudd didn't take the bait.

"Is that a jack?" Fudd said, pointing towards the card on the table and changing the topic.

Azzi Fudd could go high as No. 3 in the 2026 draft, a pick held by the Seattle Storm. The Lynx have the second pick via the Sky.

Geno Auriemma explains Azzi Fudd's reason behind staying at UConn

Before the 2025 WNBA draft, Azzi Fudd had won the national title and was named the MOP of the Final Four. She could have been one of the top picks in the draft. However, the UConn star decided to stay at UConn and play another year.

Fudd had made up her mind to skip the 2025 draft, and she told her coach the reasons behind her decision to stay and play one more year before moving to the WNBA.

"And through all these question-and-answers that we asked, that I asked, she said, 'I'm not ready,'" Auriemma told ESPN about his conversation with Fudd. "'I haven't played enough basketball to feel confident about going there and playing at the highest level.'"

Fudd will look to help UConn defend its title without Paige Bueckers, who left for the WNBA draft last year.