WNBA draft winners and losers: Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts and one team that stole the show

WNBA draft winners and losers: Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts and one team that stole the show originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The 2026 WNBA Draft is complete, and a loaded draft board has finally taken shape as a talent-rich rookie class prepares to enter the pro ranks.

The Dallas Wings made Azzi Fudd the seventh UConn Husky to go first overall, while the Minnesota Lynx grabbed TCU's star guard Olivia Miles over Awa Fam Thiam at second overall and UCLA's championship-winning seniors made more history in New York City. MORE : Complete results and analysis for every pick in Round 1 Here are some snap winners -- and losers -- from the 2026 draft. WNBA Draft winners & losers 2026 Winner: Seattle Storm The Storm took the best player on their board at third overall -- and Seattle now has the building blocks to construct the WNBA's most terrifying frontcourt.

Awa Fam Thiam joins Dominique Malonga, last year's second overall pick, in the frontcourt of the future. Fam's passing, playmaking and jump shooting made her a standout prospect throughout the draft process, while Malonga profiles already as a future Defensive Player of the Year: per 100 possessions last year, the 20-year-old averaged 16. 6 rebounds and 2.

4 blocks. Fam joins Malonga and Ezi Magbegor in Seattle, which also swung a trade with Golden State for Flau'jae Johnson later in the night. That's a great young nucleus for Storm coach Sonia Raman to develop in her first year on the job.