When the 2026 WNBA Draft arrives on April 13, the Dallas Wings will control the top of the board — and the latest USA TODAY Sports mock draft has them using the No. 1 pick on UConn star Azzi Fudd.
The Wings won Sunday’s draft lottery, securing the first overall selection for the second straight year. Unlike 2025, when Paige Bueckers was the undisputed No. 1 pick, the 2026 class offers multiple viable options. That uncertainty has intensified the spotlight on Dallas as WNBA free agency looms alongside ongoing CBA negotiations.
USA TODAY Projects Dallas Wings to Take UConn Guard Azzi Fudd
USA TODAY slots Fudd to the Wings at No. 1, citing her status as “one of the most electric shooters in all of college basketball.” The mock draft highlights her elite perimeter ability, noting she is shooting over 50% from three-point range this season and brings a “silky smooth release” that consistently punishes defenses.
The report also points to her versatility. Fudd is labeled an “underrated three-level scorer” who can generate her own looks, create off the dribble, and compete defensively. For Dallas — a team that ranked 11th in made threes last season — adding a high-volume, high-efficiency shooter would address one of its clearest needs.
Her fit becomes even more intriguing when considering the Wings’ frontcourt depth and the presence of 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, setting up a potential former-UConn backcourt pairing if the mock holds.
Other Top Contenders Mentioned for No. 1
Before revealing its projection, USA TODAY acknowledged the wide-open nature of the pick. The Wings have been linked to several players, including:
- Awa Fam (Spain, C) — one of the most skilled young bigs internationally
- Olivia Miles (TCU, G) — elite playmaker and top assist producer
- Lauren Betts (UCLA, C) — dominant interior scorer and rim protector
The mock ultimately sided with Fudd, but it reiterated that Dallas could go in several directions — especially with other lottery teams like Minnesota and Seattle positioned to reshape the top of the board.
Top 5 Picks From USA TODAY’s 2026 WNBA Mock Draft
- Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
- Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam, C, Spain
- Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, G, Notre Dame/TCU
- Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
- Chicago Sky: Ta’Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
USA TODAY notes that the draft order for expansion teams Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will be finalized once ongoing CBA discussions determine which franchise selects first, likely via coin flip.
With several elite prospects and an uncertain free-agency climate, Dallas’ decision at No. 1 is set to shape the rest of the draft — and potentially the direction of the franchise.
More Dallas Wings News & Rumors
- WNBA News: ‘Super Exciting’: UCLA Star Lauren Betts Reacts To Dallas Wings Winning No. 1 Pick In 2026 WNBA Draft
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers Earns First USA Senior National Team Camp Invitation As Dallas Wings Star Continues Rapid Rise
- WNBA News: Azzi Fudd To Dallas Wings? National Media Momentum Builds For Potential UConn Reunion With Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: Maddy Siegrist Calls No. 1 Pick ‘Super Exciting’ As Dallas Wings Celebrate Back-to-Back Lottery Wins
- WNBA News: ‘This Won’t Be The Same Old Dallas Wings, My Brother’: Jose Fernandez Outlines Vision To Build Winning Culture Around Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: Geno Auriemma Explains Confidence In Jose Fernandez As Ideal Fit For Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Break Ground On New Practice Facility In West Oak Cliff
- WNBA News: “A Great Environment”: Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale Coach Youth 3-on-3 at DICK’S House of Sport Dallas Opening
- WNBA News: “A Whole Bunch of Potential”: Paige Bueckers Embraces Dallas Wings Rebuild Despite Tough Season
