The Dallas Wings claimed the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft lottery on Sunday night, marking only the seventh time in league history that a team has secured the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back years. Despite receiving trade offers for the coveted pick, Wings general manager Curt Miller is expected to keep it, though the team’s final selection remains undecided ahead of the draft scheduled for April 13th. Unlike previous years, this draft features several strong candidates vying for the top spot.
According to ESPN’s latest post-lottery mock draft, Dallas is projected to select Azee Fudd, the University of Connecticut sharpshooter who is currently averaging 21 points per game and shooting an impressive 54.8% from beyond the arc. Fudd, who earned Most Valuable Player honors at last season’s Final Four, has overcome injuries including a torn ACL but is currently delivering the best basketball of her collegiate career for the top-ranked Huskies. Her connection with Wings star Paige Bueckers has fans excited about the potential Dallas backcourt dynamic.
Kevin Gray Jr. of DLLS Sports praised the possible pairing, emphasizing Fudd’s elite shooting ability and the matchup nightmare it would create alongside Bueckers’ shooting and playmaking. Fudd’s selection would not only satisfy team needs but also signal her intent to lead UConn to another national championship in the 2025-26 season, where she recently posted 24 points on 11 shots and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds in a dominant win over Utah.
Fans and analysts alike see Fudd as the player who could immediately boost Dallas’ perimeter shooting, a need underscored by her connection to Bueckers. As long as she remains healthy, her draft value should continue to rise, making her a strong favorite for the top pick.
Fan Take: This development is thrilling for WNBA fans because it suggests the Wings are building a pioneering, sharpshooting backcourt that could change the game’s pace and style. If Bueckers and Fudd team up, they could not only dominate on the court but also attract even more attention and growth to women’s basketball.
