Azzi Fudd WNBA Draft 2026: No. 1 Overall Pick Reunites with Paige Bueckers in Dallas
The wait is over. Azzi Fudd is officially the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, selected by the Dallas Wings on Monday, April 13, 2026, at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City . The moment marks the culmination of a legendary UConn career and the beginning of a new chapter—one that will reunite her with former Huskies teammate and girlfriend Paige Bueckers, the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
For Azzi Fudd, the draft night emotions were overwhelming. “I’m not really sure I have words to describe that feeling what that meant,” she said after hearing her name called. “I don’t think it’s fully sunk in. It’s nothing I could have imagined. The feeling of sitting with my family, with Morgan [UConn coach], hearing your name called, go up there. Such a surreal feeling” .
This comprehensive profile explores Azzi Fudd’s journey from Arlington, Virginia, to UConn stardom, her historic 2026 WNBA Draft selection, the record-breaking $500,000 rookie salary, and what her pairing with Bueckers means for the Dallas Wings’ future.
The 2026 WNBA Draft: Azzi Fudd Goes No. 1
Dallas Wings Make History Again
With the first pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd, making it back-to-back years that the franchise has taken a UConn guard with the top overall selection . In 2025, the Wings chose Paige Bueckers, who went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year honors while averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game .
The Wings earned the No. 1 pick after a dismal 10-34 season that tied for the league’s worst record, giving them a 42% chance in the draft lottery . General manager Curt Miller’s decision to select Fudd over other top prospects—including UCLA’s Lauren Betts, TCU’s Olivia Miles, and Spain’s Awa Fam Thiam—reflects confidence in Fudd’s elite shooting and defensive growth .
The $500,000 Payday
Thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement ratified in March 2026, Azzi Fudd’s rookie contract is historic. The No. 1 pick will earn $500,000 in her first year—nearly seven times what Bueckers made as the 2025 top selection ($348,198 over four years) . Fudd’s four-year deal totals $2,238,360 .
The salary explosion reflects the WNBA’s growing revenue and the new CBA’s emphasis on paying rookies what they’re worth. Second- and third-round picks will now make $270,000—more than the previous maximum salary under the old agreement .
UConn Legacy: Seven No. 1 Picks and Counting
Joining Huskies Royalty
Azzi Fudd becomes the seventh UConn player selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft, joining an exclusive club that includes some of the greatest players in women’s basketball history :
| Year | Player | Drafted By |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm |
| 2004 | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury |
| 2010 | Tina Charles | Connecticut Sun |
| 2011 | Maya Moore | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2016 | Breanna Stewart | Seattle Storm |
| 2025 | Paige Bueckers | Dallas Wings |
| 2026 | Azzi Fudd | Dallas Wings |
This marks the third time UConn has produced back-to-back No. 1 picks, cementing the program’s status as the premier pipeline to WNBA stardom . Fudd is also UConn’s 51st WNBA draft selection and 29th first-round pick in program history .
The 2025 National Championship
Azzi Fudd’s UConn legacy was sealed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where she was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring 24 points with five rebounds and three steals in the Huskies’ national championship victory over South Carolina . The title capped a 54-game winning streak that spanned two seasons and established Fudd as one of the greatest shooters in college basketball history.
By the Numbers: Azzi Fudd’s UConn Career
Record-Book Dominance
Azzi Fudd leaves UConn with statistics that place her among the program’s all-time elite :
| Category | Rank | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Career 3-pointers made | 5th | 292 |
| Career 3-point percentage | 7th | 42.2% |
| Career free throw percentage | 1st | 92.5% |
| Single-season 3-pointers made (2025-26) | 4th | 117 |
| Career points | 21st | 1,687 |
Her 2025-26 senior season was her best, with career highs across the board: 17.7 points per game, 673 total points, 100 rebounds, 117 assists, 18 blocks, and 97 steals . She shot 48.9% from the field, 45.5% from three-point range, and 95.5% from the free-throw line—efficiency numbers that suggest immediate WNBA impact.
The Final Four Heartbreak
Despite her individual brilliance, Azzi Fudd’s college career ended in disappointment. UConn’s 54-game winning streak was snapped in the 2026 national semifinals by South Carolina, a game in which Fudd scored just eight points on 3-of-15 shooting . The loss denied the Huskies a second consecutive championship and left Fudd reflecting on what might have been.
“Not how we wanted to end our season, but I think the biggest takeaway was how incredible my five years have been,” Fudd said at the draft. “Being able to learn from that, being able to take all those experiences—the wins, the losses, the hard practices, the everything, the good, the bad—you can grow from that” .
The Bueckers-Fudd Reunion: Dallas’s Dynamic Duo
On-Court Chemistry
The pairing of Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers in Dallas reunites one of college basketball’s most celebrated backcourts. The two guards led UConn to the 2025 national championship and developed a chemistry that transcended the court—they publicly confirmed their romantic relationship in 2025 .
Their games complement each other perfectly. Bueckers is the creative playmaker, averaging 5.4 assists as a rookie while scoring 19.2 points per game. Fudd is the elite shooter, hitting 42.2% of her three-pointers in college and leading the nation with 117 made threes in her final season . Together, they give Dallas one of the most exciting young backcourts in the WNBA.
“Paige is an incredible player, everyone knows that,” Fudd said after being drafted. “She’s someone that makes playing basketball with easy” .
Wings’ Offseason Moves
Dallas has been aggressive in building around its young stars. The Wings re-signed veteran guard Arike Ogunbowale to a multiyear deal, added forward Jessica Shepard, signed Alanna Smith (last season’s co-Defensive Player of the Year), and acquired Rayah Marshall in a trade with the Connecticut Sun . The roster now features a blend of veteran experience and young talent, with Fudd and Bueckers as the cornerstones.
From Arlington to Storrs: Azzi Fudd’s Journey
High School Phenom
Azzi Fudd grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where she emerged as one of the nation’s top recruits. Her friendship with Paige Bueckers began in 2017 when both played on the USA Women’s Under-16 National Team . When Fudd was deciding where to play college basketball, Bueckers actively recruited her to UConn—a decision that would shape both of their careers.
The 2023-24 Injury Setback
Fudd’s UConn career wasn’t without adversity. She played only two games during the 2023-24 season after suffering a torn right ACL in practice, an injury that threatened to derail her trajectory . Her comeback in 2024-25—culminating in the national championship and Most Outstanding Player honors—demonstrated the resilience that defines her game.
Academic Excellence
Beyond basketball, Azzi Fudd excelled academically. She graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and will receive her master’s in business administration in May 2026 . She was the 2026 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year, a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection, and made the NCAA Fort Worth All-Region Team .
What Comes Next: WNBA Rookie Season
Training Camp and Preseason
Azzi Fudd will report to Dallas Wings training camp on April 19, 2026—less than a week after being drafted . The compressed timeline reflects the WNBA’s growing urgency to capitalize on draft momentum and integrate rookies quickly.
Expectations and Pressure
As the No. 1 pick, Azzi Fudd will face immediate expectations. The WNBA’s rookie class of 2026 is exceptionally talented, with TCU’s Olivia Miles going No. 2 to Minnesota, Spain’s Awa Fam Thiam selected No. 3 by Seattle, and UCLA’s Lauren Betts taken No. 4 by Washington . Fudd will be measured against these peers throughout her rookie season.
Yet her shooting ability—particularly her quick release and footwork—should translate immediately. In a league increasingly reliant on three-point shooting, Fudd’s 42.2% college accuracy makes her a perfect fit for the modern WNBA .
Conclusion: A New Era in Dallas
The Azzi Fudd era in Dallas begins with unprecedented promise. The No. 1 pick, the $500,000 salary, the reunion with Paige Bueckers, and the Wings’ aggressive offseason all point to a franchise betting its future on young talent.
For Azzi Fudd, the journey from Arlington to Storrs to Dallas represents the culmination of years of work and the beginning of a new challenge. The UConn legacy—seven No. 1 picks, countless championships, a culture of excellence—now extends to the professional ranks.
Dallas is counting on it.
