UConn's Azzi Fudd Goes No. 1, Reunites with Paige Bueckers

Azzi Fudd sat with her family in New York, heard her name called first, and couldn't find the words to describe the moment.

The former UConn star became the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, heading to the Dallas Wings with a half-million dollar contract waiting for her. She joins former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, who was the Wings' top pick last year.

"Paige is an incredible player, everyone knows that," Fudd said. "She's someone that makes playing basketball easy."

The Wings now have two of UConn's seven all-time No. 1 draft picks on the same roster. Bueckers attended the draft in person to support her former teammate, along with other Huskies players.

UCLA made history at the draft just over a week after winning their first NCAA championship. The Bruins had six players selected, breaking UConn's 2002 record of four first-round picks.

Stars Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez went in the top five, with teammate Kiki Rice becoming the sixth pick to Toronto, the expansion team's first-ever college draft selection. Jaquez now has family bragging rights over her brother Jaime, who plays for the Miami Heat and was picked 18th in his NBA draft.

Why This Inspires

The 2026 draft represents more than individual success stories. Under the new collective bargaining agreement ratified last month, rookies are seeing life-changing pay increases.

Fudd will earn nearly seven times what Bueckers made as the top pick just one year ago. Even second and third-round picks now make $270,000, which exceeds the previous maximum salary under the old agreement.

"I'm just blessed and grateful to come at this time," said No. 8 pick Flau'jae Johnson. "The 30th season of the WNBA. My goal is to leave it better than I found it."

Minnesota selected TCU's Olivia Miles at No. 2, who transferred from Notre Dame and helped the Horned Frogs reach back-to-back Elite Eights. She took a deep breath before describing the emotional journey to finally hearing her name called.

The combination of historic team success, expanding opportunities with new franchises, and unprecedented compensation shows how far women's basketball has come in just one generation.