Dallas Wings select Azzi Fudd with No. 1 WNBA draft pick

CNN's Coy Wire breaks down the pay increases for the league's new rookies

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a WNBA basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy blue, sky blue, and bright orange, conceptually representing the dynamic and evolving nature of the women's professional basketball league.The Dallas Wings' selection of Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft signals the league's continued growth and investment in elite women's basketball talent.Dallas Today

The Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd with the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, marking the second consecutive year the team has had the top selection. CNN sports reporter Coy Wire provided analysis on the pay increases that the new WNBA rookies will receive as the league celebrates its 30th season.

Why it matters

The WNBA draft is a major event for the women's professional basketball league, as teams look to add top collegiate talent to their rosters. Fudd's selection as the No. 1 pick continues a trend of the Dallas Wings having the first choice, underscoring the team's ability to identify and acquire elite players to build their franchise.

The details

Azzi Fudd, a standout guard from the University of Connecticut, was chosen by the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. This marks the second consecutive year the Wings have had the first selection, after taking Paige Bueckers in 2025. CNN sports reporter Coy Wire provided analysis on the increasing salaries for WNBA rookies, noting that the league's 30th season will feature higher pay for first-year players.

  • The 2026 WNBA draft took place on Monday, April 14, 2026.
  • The Dallas Wings have had the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft for the past two years.

The players

Azzi Fudd

A standout guard from the University of Connecticut who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.

Paige Bueckers

The player selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.

Coy Wire

A sports reporter for CNN who provided analysis on the pay increases for WNBA rookies in the league's 30th season.

Dallas Wings

The WNBA team that has had the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for the past two years.

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What they’re saying

“The WNBA continues to grow and provide more opportunities for women in professional sports. The pay increases for rookies this season are a positive step forward.”

— Coy Wire, CNN Sports Reporter

What’s next

The Dallas Wings will look to integrate Azzi Fudd into their roster and continue building a championship-contending team in the WNBA's 30th season.

The takeaway

Azzi Fudd's selection as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings highlights the continued growth and investment in the WNBA, as the league celebrates its 30th anniversary with increased rookie salaries and the addition of elite collegiate talent.