Dallas Wings with the First Pick of the WNBA Draft
The Dallas Wings are poised to lead the WNBA draft once again, which could significantly boost their performance. League history suggests that having two consecutive top draft picks is a major boost for any franchise.
The draft lottery draw held no surprises, with the top five teams (Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky) maintaining their positions according to the odds. Before the draw, Awa Fam, a Spanish player, was expected to be the first pick.
With the Wings’ new coach, Jose Fernandez, who has experience in European recruitment, Fam remains a strong candidate. However, after Azzi Fudd, UConn’s guard, outstanding performance at the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, attention is focused on the Huskies’ senior player.
Last year’s selection, Paige Bueckers, and Fudd, are elite players who could lead the Wings to the playoffs.
WNBA labor negotiations continue, and after a new agreement, expansion drafts will be held for the new Toronto and Portland teams, along with free agency. All this will precede the April draft, where more information about the composition of each team is expected.
WNBA Draft First Selections
Here’s a preview of the first draft selections, including four UCLA players.
Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd (UConn) – Guard, senior.
Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam – Spain, center.
Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles (TCU) – Guard, senior.
Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts (UCLA) – Center, senior.
Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson (LSU) – Guard, senior.
Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina) – Guard, senior.
Golden State Valkyries: Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA) – Guard, senior.
Washington Mystics: Serah Williams (UConn) – Power forward, senior.
Indiana Fever: Madina Okot (South Carolina) – Center, senior.
Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA) – Guard, senior.
Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martin Carrion – Spain, guard.
Atlanta Dream: Kiki Rice (UCLA) – Guard, senior.
Seattle Storm: Janiah Barker (Tennessee) – Power forward, senior.
Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma – France, forward.
In victories against Michigan and Utah, Fudd scored a total of 55 points with 58.1% effectiveness. This season, she averages 21.0 points per game with 51.1% overall effectiveness and 54.8% from the three-point line. Although she has dealt with injuries, her offensive talent makes her very valuable.UConn’s Azzi Fudd, consistently projected as a lottery pick, now leads the ranking.The Fam agent has stated that their priority is to compete in the WNBA in 2026. They currently play in Valencia, Spain, and will turn 20 in June. Their potential is high, and the Lynx could give them time to develop.
Miles, transferred from Notre Dame to TCU, averages 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. She is shaping up to be the best senior point guard and could be key to the Storm’s future.0:21 Olivia Miles with the 2 Pt.Betts, who was number 1 in the October draft, had an outstanding previous season. However, traditional pivots may take time to adapt to the WNBA’s style of play. Even so, Betts is very talented.
Johnson will demonstrate his ability to run the court this season. He averages 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game for LSU.
Latson led Division I in scoring with 25.2 points per game last season. Now, in a more balanced attack, he averages 18.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
After three years at Ohio State, McMahon is now at Ole Miss, averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Defensive improvement will be key to his development.
Kneepkens stands out for his three-point shots. Although he currently has a lower percentage, his history suggests that he will improve. He averages 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.1:17 Match Summary: Southern Jaguars vs. UCLA Bruins.Williams went from being the star of a team to playing for the Huskies. His scoring average will go down, but his draft value will increase.
Okot, from Kenya, joined the Gamecocks for her final season and leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Although she is a traditional center, there is still a place for her in the WNBA.
Jaquez is off to a good start for the Bruins, averaging 15.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Martin Carrion was named Young Player of the Year in her EuroLeague debut. Her teammate, Fam, also helped her selection reach the final of the EuroBasket championship.
Rice averages 13.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Improvement in three-point shooting will be key to his development.
Barker, who has played at several universities, now finishes her career at Tennessee. Her skill set for her size has interested WNBA evaluators.
Angloma, who plays in France, averaged 17.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the Women’s U19 World Cup.
