For the second consecutive year, UConn produced the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Azzi Fudd heard her name called by the Dallas Wings. She’ll be reunited with last year’s top pick and former UConn star Paige Bueckers in Dallas.
Bueckers, who’s dating Fudd and won a national championship alongside her in 2024, was caught on camera proudly smiling and clapping.
Some wondered whether Fudd’s draft stock fell after a rocky NCAA Tournament showing. But her sharpshooting is undeniable. She’s a career 42.2 percent shooter from deep and went 44.4 percent from behind the arc this season.
Almost an hour after she was drafted, Fudd was still shell-shocked and struggled to find the words to describe her emotions.
“I don’t really have words,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine the feeling of sitting there with my family … I’m so grateful.”
Fudd believes she’ll fit in well with the Wings backcourt.
“They’ve been able to see how I’m a team mentality, we-over-me mentality,” Fudd said. “I know how to play with great players. I know how to space the floor, I know how to move without the ball … I’m just excited.”
TCU guard Olivia Miles went No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx.
The Philipsburg, N.J., native, was a projected lottery pick a year ago, though she opted to return to college for her final year of eligibility. Miles transferred from Notre Dame to TCU ahead of the 2025-26 season and credited coach Mark Campbell with helping her get to this moment.
“It’s like a deep breath,” Miles said. “That’s why I got emotional when I got my name called. It’s like it’s finally here. This is what it’s all about.”
Spanish center Awa Fam Thiam, who’s only 19, was picked No. 3 overall by the Seattle Storm.
UCLA was well represented at the WNBA draft. Lauren Betts was drafted No. 4 overall to the Washington Mystics. The Chicago Sky picked Gabriela Jaquez No. 5 overall before the Toronto Tempo took guard Kiki Rice sixth.
“I want to say I’m surprised, but I’m not,” Betts said of three straight Bruins being picked, “because I just know how talented all my teammates are and they deserve every single bit of this night. They worked so hard and I’ve seen their journeys.”
