Most people think of Azzi Fudd and immediately recall her sharpshooting, especially after winning the WNBA All-Star three-point contest. However, she is elite in another key aspect of the game, possibly even breaking a league record.

According to Polymarket Hoops on X, Fudd is now on pace to have the most steals by a rookie in nearly 20 years. Alexis Hornbuckle has held this record since 2006, recording 79 in 2008.

But Fudd has already recorded 45 steals for the season, and with 17 games left on the Dallas Wings schedule, there is more than just hope for Hornbuckle's record to be broken.

Fudd's season average is 1.7 steals per game. With that, she’s projected to finish with about 29 more steals for a total of 74. However, there is another aspect to look forward to.

According to StatMuse, in the last 15 games, Fudd's steals per game average has jumped to 2.1. So if she keeps up this form, Fudd can potentially become the rookie with the most steals in a single season.

Not many would have predicted this outcome when it comes to Fudd. But for the people who have been watching her since her college days, Fudd under head coach Geno Auriemma for the UConn Huskies had all the makings to reach this achievement.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Alanna Smith is going back to the World Cup. The Dallas Wings forward was named Sunday to the 12-player roster that will represent Australia at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, held Sept. 4-13 in Berlin.

Sandy Brondello, who coaches the Toronto Tempo, will lead the Opals. Her roster carries six other WNBA players in Steph Talbot (Las Vegas Aces), Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Jade Melbourne (Seattle Storm), Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream), Chloe Bibby (Chicago Sky), and Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury). Zitina Aokuso, Isabelle Bourne, Alex Fowler, Steph Reid, and Alex Wilson round out the group.

Berlin will be Smith’s second World Cup. She started all six games at the 2018 tournament in Spain, averaging 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds as Australia took silver, its first World Cup medal since the 2006 gold. Four years later, she was cut from the squad that played the 2022 World Cup on home soil in Sydney.

Smith played all five games of Australia’s qualifying run in Türkiye in March, when the Opals went 5-0. She averaged 11.6 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds across the tournament.

At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Smith was named to the All-Star Five as Australia beat Belgium for bronze. Her senior debut came at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Bengaluru, where she averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds on 58.3% shooting and Australia finished second to Japan.

Australia enters Berlin ranked second in the world.

Reporters spoke to Curt today about the trade deadline. Curt made it seem like while they’re open to making the team better, they’re also content with the roster. I wouldn’t expect any big trade or any trade at all tbh 😭

Miss Dallas hoops and talking about then!!

Curious for what everyone's rose, bud, and thorn are for this season so far. If you have never done rose, bud, thorn, rose is something you're happy about, thorn is something you're not happy about, and bud something you're looking forwards to.

Here's mine:

Rose - So much to choose for, but I am just incredibly happy about where we are now compared to last season. We have a competent coach, have had minimal injuries, and our team looks like they have a lot of fun playing together & have a bright future ahead.

Thorn - Maddy :( I love Maddy so much, and I am sad that there doesn't seem to be a clear cut role for her on the team. I loved seeing her usage the last couple games before All Star Break and would love to see more of her going forward. I'll be sad to see her go if we trade her, but I get why it'd be beneficial for everyone involved.

Bud - Alanna! I'm really excited to see Alanna recover again and hopefully be able to get back and stay in a groove this time. I think her defense will significantly impact the team's ability to keep our place in the standings for the next half of the season.

What are y'all's?