Azzi Fudd Reunites with Paige Bueckers as Dallas Wings’ No. 1 Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft
In a highly anticipated move that caps off a dramatic draft night in New York, the Dallas Wings selected UConn star Azzi Fudd as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday evening.[3][5] The selection reunites Fudd with her former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, who was the Wings’ top pick in 2025 and earned Rookie of the Year honors last season.[1][3]
Fudd, a 5-foot-11 senior shooting guard, expressed overwhelming emotion after hearing her name called first. “I’m not really sure I have words to describe that feeling… Such a surreal feeling,” she told reporters post-draft.[3] In a SportsCenter interview, she added, “I’m so blessed. I’m so grateful and I’m so excited.”[4]
Historic Payday Under New CBA
The draft’s significance extends beyond the court, thanks to the league’s newly ratified collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which has dramatically boosted rookie salaries.[2][3] As the top pick, Fudd will earn $500,000 in her debut 2026 season—nearly seven times what Bueckers made as the 2025 No. 1 ($78,831)—and up to $646,360 by the final year of her four-year rookie deal.[2]
This marks the richest rookie contract in WNBA history and more than double the previous league supermax of $249,244.[2] The No. 2 and No. 3 picks will receive $466,913 and $436,016, respectively, highlighting the CBA’s impact across the board.[3] Here’s a breakdown of select rookie scale salaries:
| Pick Range | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | $500,000 | – | – | $646,360 |
| No. 2-3 | $466,913 / $436,016 | – | – | – |
| Nos. 9-15 | $289,133 | $300,698 | $330,768 | $373,768 |
| Second/Third Round | $270,000 | $288,600 | $317,460 | $358,730 |
UConn Legacy and On-Court Fit
Fudd’s path to the top spot was paved by her elite shooting prowess, boasting a career 42.2% from three-point range during her time at UConn.[1] Despite a dip in the 2026 NCAA Tournament—where she shot 12-of-39 (30.8%) over her final three games, including 3-of-15 in the Huskies’ Final Four loss to South Carolina—she had a standout second-round performance of 34 points on eight threes.[1] For the season, she averaged career highs of 17.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.[5]
She was named Most Outstanding Player at the 2025 Final Four, contributing to UConn’s championship run the year prior alongside Bueckers—a title Fudd helped win before Bueckers’ rookie departure.[1][5] UConn now boasts a record seven No. 1 WNBA draft picks, with both stars in attendance to celebrate.[3]
“Paige is an incredible player, everyone knows that,” Fudd said of her reunion.[3] The pairing is expected to electrify Dallas, which re-signed veteran guard Arike Ogunbowale, the 2019 No. 5 pick and a Dallas mainstay.[1] Fudd’s elite three-point shooting and improved defense should complement Bueckers and Ogunbowale seamlessly.[1]
Wings’ Rebuild Gains Momentum
The Wings earned the No. 1 pick via the draft lottery after a dismal 10-34 record in 2025, finishing last in the league.[5] Securing Fudd back-to-back years after Bueckers positions Dallas for a potential turnaround. Pre-draft mocks had projected Fudd atop many boards, with TCU’s Olivia Miles as a close contender for early selection.[1]
Fudd’s addition addresses Dallas’ need for scoring punch and perimeter defense, fitting perfectly into a backcourt that now features three dynamic guards. Fans and analysts alike buzzed about the reunion, noting the duo’s chemistry from their UConn days, which reportedly included a dating history.[5]
League-Wide Implications
The 2026 draft, held at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, unfolded amid heightened excitement from the CBA’s financial upgrades, drawing record viewership projections.[1][3] As the league enters a new era of parity and investment, Fudd’s selection symbolizes the influx of top college talent into a revitalized WNBA.
With training camps looming, all eyes turn to Dallas as the Wings aim to leverage their star-studded backcourt to climb the standings. Fudd’s journey from UConn phenom to WNBA’s top earner underscores the growing spotlight on women’s basketball.
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