The present embodiments relate to connecting a network device to a wireless access point in a network environment based on an association affinity between the network device and the wireless access device. A wireless access point in a network environment can receive a request for a first network device to connect to any wireless access point in the network environment that includes a signal strength metric. The wireless access point can determine whether the first network device corresponds with a prioritized wireless access point using weighted averages based on a historical derived proximity of the wireless access points in the network environment and a historical connectivity to wireless access points in the network environment. A connection prioritization action can be performed to connect the first network device with the prioritized wireless access point in the network environment based on the determination of whether the first network device corresponds with the prioritized wireless access point.