Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd marked this Father’s Day by showing fans the support behind her success. On Father’s Day, Fudd shared an Instagram Story to celebrate the special holiday. 

The post was playful and personal. A day later, the account @AzziReport reshared the tribute on X, crediting the original story. The story featured a collection of family photos taken over the years. 

One picture showed Tim Fudd eating at an outdoor event. Another caught the dad asleep in a chair, wearing a funny “THE PEOPLE’S PRINCE 35” t-shirt. A third photo captured him in the stands, cheering. 

The story included a text overlay that read, “Happy Father’s Day to the best tshirt catcher of all time.” It was an inside joke that pointed to his fan-like behavior during games. She made sure to tag him in the post, where he was seen wearing UConn gear.

The lower half showed him in an orange hoodie holding a bag, paired with the text, “Stay drippy.” The story also featured a simple “I love you!” message. 

The post felt meaningful once you understand the family history. He is actually her adoptive father. He married her mother, Katie Smrcka-Duffy, when the young guard was just a toddler, around one and a half years old. 

He then adopted her. They built a family together, adopting two younger brothers, Jon and Jose, who have roots in Guatemala. 

His influence bled into her early basketball journey. He played college hoops at American University and had a professional career overseas before turning to coaching. He traveled to almost every single game she ever played during her college career. 

Those gym hours and cheers did more than build a family bond. They resulted in a career that is now making headlines.

How Tim Fudd’s Support is now Showing Results in a Rookie Rise

Fudd entered the professional league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Wings. Expectations were high, and many wondered how she would adapt to the speed of the pro game.

According to Basketball Reference, she is averaging around 13.6 points per game with efficient shooting numbers. She is also making a good defensive impact on the court. She has been constantly in the race for the Rookie of the Year award this season. 

Her first professional points came from a three-pointer. Recently, she dropped a career-high 26 points against the Seattle Storm. She also showcased an all-around game with 13 points and 4 blocks in a one-point win over the Chicago Sky.

Head coach Jose Fernandez praised her offensive game and high basketball IQ. Fernandez noted that she now attacks the rim just as well as she shoots from deep. 

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson noted that her transition comes as no surprise due to her mental toughness. 

Do you think Fudd can win the best rookie award this season? 

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Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi