WNBA Draft 2026 Highlights: Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Awa Fam Thiam Go 1-2-3
The 2026 WNBA Draft has concluded, and it was a record-breaking night for the UCLA Bruins. The reigning national champions had six players selected in the draft, including five first-round picks.
With the No. 1 pick for the second straight year, the Dallas Wings opened the night by selecting Azzi Fudd, reuniting the 5-foot-11 guard with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers.
The Minnesota Lynx used the No. 2 pick on Olivia Miles, and the Seattle Storm welcomed Awa Fam Thiam with the No. 3 pick.
Here’s what to know:
- UCLA’s record night: UCLA set a WNBA draft record with six players selected, the most by a single program in one draft.
- How it worked: Fifteen teams combined to make 45 picks across three rounds.
- Draft order: Dallas picked No. 1 for the second straight year, followed by Minnesota, and Seattle, Washington and Chicago rounded the top five. Expansion teams Toronto and Portland selected sixth and seventh.
Azzi Fudd of UConn joined her old Huskies’ teammate Paige Bueckers as the WNBA’s No. 1 draft selection overall and now are together again with the Dallas Wings.
The WNBA wrapped up its draft Monday night ahead of the league’s 30th season with a busy and record-setting night.
National champion UCLA set records with five Bruins taken in the first round in Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic and Gianna Kneepkens. Then UCLA added another WNBA draft mark when Charlisse Leger-Walker became the sixth drafted. That topped the record of five held by Tennessee, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
Only one trade was made during the draft, and it was a big one.
Golden State took Flau’jae Johnson at No. 8 overall, then swapped her rights to Seattle in exchange for the rights to forward Marta Suarez of TCU along with a 2028 second-round selection. Suarez was the first pick of the second round at No. 16 overall.
A total of 10 international players also were drafted over three rounds and 45 selections. That included three in the first round, three more in the second and four in the third.
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