No. 1 WNBA Draft pick Azzi Fudd lands in Dallas

Oh, how the table have turned.

WNBA Draft: Dallas takes Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall

The Wings added another Husky to the pack, selecting UConn’s Azzi Fudd first overall to tip off last night’s 2026 WNBA Draft.

• The nation’s top shooting guard prospect, Fudd will reunite with fellow 2025 NCAA champion — and fellow No. 1 pick — Paige Bueckers in Dallas.

• “Paige is an incredible player,” Fudd told reporters. “Everybody knows that she’s someone that makes playing basketball with easy, and so I think just the prior experience knowing how to play with her, play off of her, will only help.” (See full clip)

How it happened: Top college and international prospects lit up the draft lottery, as Minnesota took TCU guard Olivia Miles at No. 2, Seattle took Spanish phenom Awa Fam Thiam at No. 3, and Washington picked up UCLA center Lauren Betts at No. 4.

• Chicago took the biggest first-round swing by selecting UCLA guard and March Madness hero Gabriela Jaquez at No. 5, after the sleeper pick saw her draft stock take flight during the NCAA tournament.

• Betts and Jaquez were just two of the record-six Bruins drafted on Monday, with fellow 2026 champions Kiki Rice (Toronto), Angela Dugalić (Washington), Gianna Kneepkens (Connecticut), and Charlisse Leger-Walker (Connecticut) all gracing the WNBA Draft stage. (See full results)

Up next: The rookies won’t have much time to celebrate, as they prepare to join their teams for training camp ahead of April 25th’s preseason tipoff. (See full schedule)

WNBA Draft: 2nd round swap sends shockwaves

A surprise swap later stole the WNBA Draft spotlight, after Golden State and Seattle executed an abrupt, high-profile second-round trade with LSU star Flau’jae Johnson at the center of the action.

• After selecting the 2023 NCAA champion No. 8 overall, the Valkyries sent Johnson to the Storm less than an hour later, receiving No. 16 selection Maria Suarez (TCU) plus a second-round 2028 pick in return.

• “The opportunity to add Flau’jae was really exciting,“ Seattle GM Talisa Rhea said. “We had been in conversations, and so, as we got closer to that pick, once it became a reality, just really excited.” (See full results)

How it happened: While not unprecedented, immediately trading off a first-round pick is a rare WNBA occurrence, with Golden State saying little about its quick pivot.

• “I’m going to take a beat to be able to eloquently give a response,” Golden State GM Ohemaa Nyanin said from the floor. “I don’t have a lot of details to share.”

• “Seattle and I had an agreement to trade picks prior to any athlete selection,” she later told ESPN. “This had nothing to do with Flau’jae.” (See full report)

Filling the gaps: Other late-round steals included LA selecting 2025 DI leading scorer Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina) at No. 20, reigning champion Las Vegas taking Janiah Barker (Tennessee) at No. 29, and Washington drafting Rori Harmon (Texas) at No. 34.

USWNT sets sights on 2nd Japan rematch

The USWNT returns to the pitch tonight, kicking off against Japan in the second of three April friendlies — with roster rotation on the agenda and a 10-game winning streak on the line.

• The US opened the window with Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Nadeshiko, fueled by goals from veteran midfielders Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps.

• “I want to see a different side to us in the second game with a less experienced group, and see the progress that we have made in the last 12 months,” USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said. (See full report)

Big potential: Leaning into the youth movement, the US could combine a younger midfield trio with speedy attackers tonight, while possibly taking a hit in central defense.

• After a training injury took center back Emily Sonnett out of Saturday’s match, Hayes opted to pair newcomer Kennedy Wesley with starter Naomi Girma on the backline.

• Angel City defender Emily Sams could step in should Sonnett remain unavailable — with novice outside backs Lilly Reale and Avery Patterson primed to pick up the slack. (See full roster)

Tune in The USWNT takes on Japan tonight at 10 PM ET, live on TNT.

Nike x WNBA drop retro 30th anniversary line

The WNBA is turning 30, as Nike rolls out a special-edition retro collection celebrating the league’s original 1996 logo and colorway with all-new designs.

• The capsule is part of a three-brand anniversary launch, starting with La Crema’s WNBA White Wine and culminating in tomorrow’s Mitchell and Ness drop.

• “We’re building a season-long platform of activations, collaborations, and fan-first experiences designed to engage the WNBA family wherever they are,” said WNBA CMO Phil Cook. (See full release)

Get yours: Browse Nike’s 30th anniversary line now at the WNBAStore.

World Sevens Football heads to England

World Sevens Football (W7F) is back, as the seven-a-side tournament announced plans to stage its third iteration in Brentford, England next month.

• UK teams Aston Villa and Manchester United will return to the three-day competition, joined by six additional WSL clubs to be named at a later date.

• “It’s a great opportunity to be part of something a little different in the women’s game and we’re looking forward to it,” said Aston Villa Managing Director Maggie Murphy. (See full release)

Big changes: The international event’s prize pool has shrunk from $5 million to $1.5 million — $500,000 for the winning team plus $250,000 for runners-up — as organizers analyze the best avenues for spending funds in the growing market.

Stay tuned: W7F London Edition kicks off on May 29th, with live coverage expected and tickets available now.

Quote of the day

The Dallas Wings
updating the team Instagram bio after selecting UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall at the 2026 WNBA Draft.