April 28, 2026
By Sophia Lopez
The 2026 WNBA Draft was held on April 13, 2026. On this day, the top collegiate players from women’s basketball were selected by professional-league teams, determining the future of their athletic careers.
Azzi Fudd was the greatest draft pick for Dallas, utilizing a move that reunites Fudd with her former UConn teammate, the No. 1 pick for Dallas in 2025, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd both aim to work together this coming season. Having prior experience playing and winning national titles together, the players already know how to work well with one another, demonstrating outstanding performance on the court.
Now, Azzi Fudd will enter professional ranks as the premier shooter for Dallas. Her senior season showcased some of the greatest games in her career, as she finished with All-American honors, proving her status as one of the best players in the draft.
While Fudd’s base rookie salary is $500,000 (a league record under the new CBA), her total compensation, including marketing deals, is projected to exceed $1.1 million over the course of her initial contract. This is a massive jump from 2024, when the top pick earned roughly $76,000, leading analysts to expect Fudd’s 42% career three-point shooting to perfectly complement Bueckers’ playmaking and the scoring of veteran Arike Ogunbowale.
However, these aren’t the only star players who aim to finish with gold this season.
Fresh off winning the 2026 NCAA Championship, players Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, and Kiki Rice from the UCLA Bruins dominated the draft board. This was the first time in WNBA history that three players from the same school were selected in the top six.
The 6’7″ center, Lauren Betts, had one of the most memorable stories in the sport. After a subpar freshman year at Stanford where she averaged only 5.9 points, Betts entered the transfer portal. In a vulnerable piece for The Players’ Tribune, she detailed her battle with clinical depression and anxiety, revealing she had to be hospitalized to recover. The star famously reflected on the toxic mindset she held during her struggles: “I had this mindset: If you’re not producing, you’re not worthy.”
However, at UCLA, Betts found a supportive environment, leading the Bruins to their first title in 2026 and becoming an elite defensive force before being drafted 4th overall by Washington.
The future is bright for the WNBA after gaining these elite players.
Author Spotlight
Sophia Lopez (‘28) has found a new interest in journalism, and is excited to begin her first year in the program. She enjoys reporting on athletic events, and hopes to gain experience in sports journalism. Outside of her commitments to writing, she plays basketball, volleyball, and soccer at the varsity level and volunteers to teach children at her local church.
Citations
“Dallas Wings Select Azzi Fudd in 2026 WNBA Draft.” MSN, 13 Apr. 2026, http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/dallas-wings-select-azzi-fudd-in-2026-wnba-draft/ar-AA20NEdu.
UConn Huskies Athletics. “Strong, Fudd Lead UConn to National Championship.” UConn Huskies, 6 Apr. 2025, https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2025/4/5/womens-basketball-strong-fudd-lead-uconn-to-national-championship-game
Moeckler, Abigail. “No. 1 WNBA Draft Pick Azzi Fudd Set for Record $500K Rookie Salary.” Just Women’s Sports, 14 Apr. 2026, justwomenssports.com/reads/azzi-fudd-no-1-pick-wnba-draft-dallas-wings-rookie-salary-paige-bueckers-2026/.
CBS News. “UCLA Stars Selected Back-to-Back-to-Back in First Round of WNBA Draft.” CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/ucla-has-a-big-night-at-the-wnba-draft-after-winning-the-ncaa-championship/
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