Azzi Fudd Selected First Overall in 2026 WNBA Draft as UCLA Sets First-Round Record

Azzi Fudd, a guard from UConn, was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by Dallas. She will earn $500,000 in her rookie season, nearly seven times the amount earned by the previous year's top pick.

Fudd expressed surprise and gratitude after the selection, noting the surreal experience of hearing her name called alongside family and teammates. Fudd will join forces with her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, who was the top pick the prior year. Bueckers attended the draft event, along with other UConn players.

The selection marks UConn's record seventh No. 1 pick in draft history.

UCLA Dominates First Round UCLA set a new record with five players drafted in the first round, breaking the mark of four previously held by UConn from 2002.

The Bruins' players selected included center Lauren Betts at No. 4 by Washington, guard Gabriela Jaquez at No. 5 by Chicago, guard Kiki Rice at No. 6 by Toronto, forward Angela Dugalic at No. 9 by Washington, and guard Gianna Kneepkens at No.

15 by Connecticut. This occurred shortly after UCLA won its first NCAA championship. The three consecutive picks from No. 4 to No. 6 tied a record set by UConn in 2016. Rice became Toronto's first-ever draft pick as the expansion franchise.

Betts, Jaquez, and Rice credited their team's success and hard work for the strong draft showing.