UConn guard Azzi Fudd has emerged as the likely first overall pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Sportsbooks and prediction markets have roughly 80% confidence that the Dallas Wings will select Fudd, assuming they don’t trade their slot. But for the first time in at least four years, there is some uncertainty at the top of the draft.
Certain prognosticators have tabbed UCLA forward Lauren Betts, TCU guard Olivia Miles or Spanish forward Awa Fam as the first name to be called by W commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“The great thing about this draft is a lot of optionality,” Wings general manager Curt Miller said after Dallas won November’s draft lottery. That flexibility would be extra useful this offseason, with two teams nabbing players in the expansion draft and most veterans hitting some form of free agency following the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement. In recent days, the Wings have signed multiple forwards, re-shaping their roster in anticipation of Monday’s selection.
Ultimately, the team can pick the player whom it believes—alongside 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers—gives Dallas the best chance to compete with the WNBA’s best teams. However, women’s basketball play-by-play commentator Ryan Ruocco recently told media members, “I can see star power being a tiebreaker” if the franchise is torn between two players.
It’s a different situation than the last three W drafts, where the top pick was a foregone conclusion: Bueckers last year, Caitlin Clark in 2024 and Aliyah Boston in 2023. As the NIL generation filters its way into the pros, all four potential top picks bring their own unique mix of on-court assets and off-court brands.
Azzi Fudd
Fudd has been a force on the women’s basketball landscape since being named Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2019. In March, she signed a multiyear deal with Jordan Brand, after previously signing with Under Armour and Steph Curry’s SC30 Inc.
Fudd launched her own podcast, Fudd Around and Find Out, in August, shortly after she confirmed her relationship with Bueckers. The two helped UConn win a national title in 2025.
“I’ve been fortunate to be at a place like UConn, where the fans are unmatched,” Fudd said on Saturday. “You kind of see that following, no matter where a UConn player goes, they bring more attention.”
Lauren Betts
While Fudd was the No. 1 recruit in the high school class of 2021, Betts was the top dog a year later. And a year after Fudd’s Huskies won a college championship, Betts’ Bruins danced their way through March Madness. The 6-foot-7 center put up 14 points and 11 rebounds in the title game, earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.
Off the court, Betts has signed with Under Armour, appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and opened up about her mental health struggles.
Awa Fam
At 19 years old, Fam might have the highest ceiling among this year’s prospects, flashing her multi-dimensional potential at 6-foot-4 in Spain’s recent battle with Team USA during FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying play.
Drafting Fam could open up international marketing opportunities for whichever team selects her. Fam has also signed on to play in the globe-spanning Project B league in the offseason. The tour will include a stop in Valencia, Spain, where Fam most recently played.
Olivia Miles
TCU point guard Olivia Miles is currently the biggest longshot to go No. 1 among the four most sought-after prospects. After transferring from Notre Dame, she showed her ability to fully run an offense as a senior, tallying six triple-doubles before falling to the Gamecocks in the Elite Eight.
Miles likely would have been a top pick last year had she gone pro, though the W’s looming CBA changes—and ballooning rookie salaries—were reportedly among the reasons she opted for the transfer portal instead.
Miles, along with Fudd and Betts, also enters the league having established a relationship with 3-on-3 league Unrivaled. Whoever doesn’t get selected first by the Wings Monday could have another shot at teaming up with Bueckers come winter.