Former WNBA All-Star makes clear who Paige Bueckers’ Wings should take in the 2026 draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Wings on Sunday won the right to select first in the 2026 WNBA Draft — which comes with a caveat.
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The 2026 draft class is loaded. Most analysts agree on that. There is a spate of top prospects jostling for position atop teams’ draft boards, including Lauren Betts, Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles.
But no one player has separated herself from the pack just yet.
Granted, the draft is not until April 13, giving these wildly-talented NCAA standouts time to hone their craft and make their case to WNBA executives with their play. However, a former #1 overall pick, aware of what teams look for at the top of the draft, believes the Wings should not overthink this choice.
Chiney Ogwumike has it clear: Azzi Fudd should be the top pick
On Wednesday’s edition of NBA Today, two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike — the older sister of WNBA president Nneka Ogwumike — encouraged Dallas to «shoot their shot» and draft UConn guard Azzi Fudd with the first overall pick.
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“I would not be surprised if Azzi Fudd is the number one pick,» Ogwumike said. «She’s someone that’s leading them in scoring so far and has had multiple games with multiple threes. So she’s a shooter, and that’s good.”
Indeed she is a shooter. Fudd is arguably the nation’s best at that. Thanks to her textbook jump shot, Fudd is averaging 21.0 points per game for the #1-ranked Huskies — and shooting an eye-popping 54.8 percent from 3-point range.
It isn’t easy to find elite shooting. Knowing Fudd already has great chemistry on the court — and off — with Wings star Paige Bueckers, Wings general manager Curt Miller may secretly have his mind made up already on what he wants to do with the first overall choice.
