Grading every 2026 WNBA first-round draft pick from Azzi Fudd to Lauren Betts
The Dallas Wings made UConn star Azzi Fudd the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft on Monday night, reuniting Fudd with her former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers in the process. Without a clear-cut No.
1 pick on the board, the selection of Fudd was just the start of a fascinating first round that included twists and turns, a puzzler or two, and even a trade — the Golden State Valkyries dealt No. 8 overall pick Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle for Marta Suárez and a future second-round pick. Let’s break down how every team did with pick-by-pick grades from the first round.
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, guard, UConn Grade: B Fudd is the seventh UConn player to go No. 1, and she becomes just the third mother-daughter duo to have a WNBA connection.
Fudd’s mother Katie Fudd (then Katie Smrcka Duffy) was the No. 62 pick in 2001. She never suited up, but it’s still incredible to have that kind of an intra-family connection for WNBA players.
— Chantel Jennings 2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, guard, TCU Grade: A- Miles has the potential to be a generational passer in the WNBA and joins a roster that already has a generational player in Napheesa Collier. The last time the Lynx built around a true PG (in Lindsay Whalen), the franchise won four WNBA titles in seven seasons.
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