Azzi Fudd is heading to Dallas after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft. The former UConn star is set to earn $500,000.
“I’m not really sure I have words to describe that feeling what that meant,” Fudd said about being drafted. “I don’t think it’s fully sunk in. It’s nothing I could have imagined. The feeling of sitting with my family, with Morgan (Valley), hearing your name called, go up there. Such a surreal feeling.”
Fudd Reunited With Bueckers
Fudd will team up again with Paige Bueckers, a former Huskies teammate. Bueckers was the Wings’ top pick last year. Together, Bueckers and Fudd contributed to UConn’s record of seven No. 1 selections.
“Paige is an incredible player, everyone knows that,” Fudd said. “She’s someone that makes playing basketball with easy.”
UCLA’s Draft Success
UCLA had two stars, Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez, selected in the top five. This came just over a week after they led the Bruins to their first NCAA championship. Their teammate, Kiki Rice, was chosen sixth by Toronto, marking the expansion franchise’s first pick.
UCLA broke UConn’s record of having four players drafted in the first round. Angela Dugalić went ninth to Washington and Gianna Kneepkens was chosen by Connecticut with the last pick of the opening round.
Charlisse Leger-Walker’s selection in the second round at No. 18 by the Sun meant the Bruins also broke a record shared by Tennessee (1997, 2008), Notre Dame (2019) and South Carolina (2023), who all had five players drafted in total.
New CBA Impacts Rookie Pay
The new collective bargaining agreement, ratified last month, has resulted in significant pay increases for rookies. Fudd will earn nearly seven times what Bueckers did last season as the top choice. The No. 2 and No. 3 picks will receive $466,913 and $436,016, respectively.
Second- and third-round picks will make $270,000. This is more than the previous maximum salary in the old CBA.
- Azzi Fudd will make $500,000 as the No. 1 pick.
- The No. 2 and No. 3 picks will get $466,913 and $436,016, respectively.
- Second- and third-round picks will make $270,000.
“I’m just blessed and grateful to come at this time,” said No. 8 pick Flau’jae Johnson, who went to Golden State before being traded to Seattle. “The 30th season [of the WNBA]. My goal is to leave it better than I found it. It’s a gratitude thing, but also a responsibility thing. I’m taking that with full force.”
Minnesota selected Olivia Miles of TCU with the No. 2 pick. Miles chose to remain in college last season instead of entering the WNBA draft. She transferred from Notre Dame to the Horned Frogs and helped the team reach the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.
“Deep breath that’s why I got emotional,” Miles said of finishing her journey. “It’s finally here, finally heard my name. This is what this was for.”
After Seattle took Spain center Awa Fam Thiam at No. 3, Washington selected the 6-foot-7 Betts before the Chicago Sky followed with Jaquez, who is