NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Azzi Fudd of UConn poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being chosen with the first choose within the first spherical by the Dallas Wings within the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York Metropolis. NOTE TO USER: Person expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or utilizing this {photograph}, Person consents to the phrases and situations of the Getty Photographs License Settlement. (Picture by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Photographs)
Everybody’s favourite Huskie simply turned a Dallas Wing.
The Dallas Wings chosen Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 choose within the 2026 WNBA Draft Monday evening in New York, and identical to that, probably the most anticipated choice on this yr’s class was official.
Due to the league’s new collective bargaining settlement, Fudd would earn $500,000 as a rookie, seven instances the $78,831 the Bueckers would have earned as final yr’s first-round choose. She may even share a backcourt with Bueckers in Dallas, a reunion that is smart on and off the courtroom, contemplating the 2 have been shut since their years at UConn and received a nationwide championship collectively in 2025.
Fudd has mentioned a number of instances that she felt like she was getting into the league at precisely the suitable time. “It is one of the best time to be a ladies’s basketball participant, and I am unable to stress sufficient how grateful I’m to be part of it proper now and in addition how grateful I’m to everybody who got here earlier than and actually laid that basis,” she advised ESSENCE.
In her ultimate season at UConn, she averaged 17.3 factors per sport and completed the yr with extra three-pointers than any participant within the nation, connecting on 117 of 262 makes an attempt. The three-point shot alone would have been sufficient to justify the choose, however she additionally got here away from her ultimate season with first-team All-American honors.
She can also be the seventh UConn participant to go first total, becoming a member of a listing that features Sue Fowl, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart and Bueckers. Not a nasty firm.
After successful a nationwide championship in 2025 and being named Last 4 MVP, she may have entered final yr’s draft and doubtless peaked. As a substitute, she returned to Storrs for yet one more season. “My purpose this yr was to be tremendous current,” she mentioned. “I understand how simple it’s to get caught up in all of the thrilling issues which can be arising. However I am additionally very conscious that that is my final time in school.”
She performed that manner, too, and the Wings are betting she’ll convey the identical vitality to Dallas when the season begins Might 8.