Dallas Wings Secure Top Pick in WNBA Draft Lottery, Eye Azzi Fudd

The order for the 2026 WNBA Draft was established on March 12, 2023, with the Dallas Wings winning the lottery for the second consecutive year. This victory positions the team to make a significant addition to their roster, potentially selecting Azzi Fudd, the star player from the University of Connecticut, as the first overall pick.

For only the fifth time in WNBA history, a team has secured the top pick in back-to-back drafts. The Wings previously selected Paige Bueckers, a UConn standout, who was named the Rookie of the Year and made the All-WNBA Second Team. Despite her success, the Wings struggled overall, finishing the 2025 season in last place with a disappointing record of 10-34. This led to the release of coach Chris Koclanes after just one season.

In a strategic move for the upcoming season, the Wings have hired Jose Fernandez, a seasoned coach from South Florida, to lead the team. With the new leadership, the franchise is looking to rebuild and utilize their top pick to strengthen their roster.

The Minnesota Lynx secured the second pick, benefiting from a trade involving the Chicago Sky. The Seattle Storm followed with the third pick, also acquired through a previous trade. The Washington Mystics landed the fourth pick, while the Sky received the fifth pick from the Connecticut Sun as part of the same trade deal for Marina Mabrey.

Fudd, a redshirt senior, is projected to be a high lottery pick, with ESPN’s latest mock draft suggesting she could go fourth overall to the Mystics. She is currently enjoying a stellar final season at UConn, averaging career-highs, including 20.4 points, 3.8 assists, and a shooting percentage of 50% from beyond the arc.

Playing for her hometown team in Washington would provide Fudd an opportunity to join an impressive young core that includes Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, who were both All-Star selections in their rookie year. Additionally, the Mystics are set to welcome back Georgia Amoore, the sixth overall pick in 2025, who suffered an injury during training camp.

While Fudd is a leading candidate for the top pick, other notable prospects such as Awa Fam, a 6-foot-4 forward from Spain, and Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center from UCLA, are also in consideration. The Wings, who already feature All-Star shooting guard Arike Ogunbowale, face uncertainty regarding her future, as she is a free agent this offseason. Ogunbowale experienced a challenging season, averaging a career-low 15.5 points per game and grappling with injuries.

As the draft approaches, Fudd’s performance will be closely monitored. If she maintains her current form and stays healthy, the Wings may opt to reunite the dynamic UConn duo of Bueckers and Fudd, marking a new chapter in their franchise’s history. The anticipation builds as the 2026 WNBA Draft draws nearer, promising to reshape the teams and create exciting opportunities for emerging talent.