Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
The WNBA will tip off its 30th season on May 8, but it was the WNBA draft on Monday night that marked the unofficial start of the historic season. <\/p>\n
Here is what you should know about the 2026 WNBA draft. <\/p>\n
Fudd goes first<\/p>\n
Azzi Fudd was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings, becoming the seventh UConn player to be selected with the top pick.<\/p>\n
Last season, UConn\u2019s Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by Dallas. Now, they will be reunited at the next level.<\/p>\n
\u00bb READ MORE: Azzi Fudd\u2019s outfit change, a monochromatic theme, and more from the best looks at the 2026 WNBA draft<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI am excited to play again with Paige, incredible player, incredible person,\u201d Fudd told ESPN\u2019s Holly Rowe. <\/p>\n Fudd averaged 17.3 points this season, shooting 48.1% from the field and 44.7% from three-point range. <\/p>\n Engelbert looks global<\/p>\n In a news conference before the draft, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke about the new collective bargaining agreement<\/a> that was ratified last month. <\/p>\n The agreement introduced the first-ever revenue sharing model for the league and raised teams\u2019 salary caps, which included contracts for more than $1 million. <\/p>\n Engelbert also shared that housing was a big concern players expressed during negotiations and that was also resolved. <\/p>\n But Engelbert\u2019s biggest point of focus was expanding the game, even internationally. <\/p>\n \u201cThe past 30 years have been about building foundation,\u201d Engelbert said. \u201cThe next 30 will be about scaling the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Engelbert wants international regular season games within the coming years, while also playing up to 52 games a season in 2029. <\/p>\n This season will be the first time an international team will be part of the league with the Toronto Tempo joining the WNBA. <\/p>\n UCLA makes history<\/p>\n National champion UCLA had five players drafted in the first round, and six drafted overall, which is the most out of any program in one draft. <\/p>\n Lauren Betts (No. 4 to Washington), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5 to Chicago) and Kiki Rice (No. 6 to Toronto) were selected in three straight picks. Angela Dugalic was picked ninth by Washington, joining Betts. Gianna Kneepkens went 15th to Connecticut, and the Sun later selected Charlisse Leger-Walker in the second round. <\/p>\n UConn held the previous record with four first-round picks in 2002. <\/p>\n Expansion teams\u2019 first draft<\/p>\n Engelbert\u2019s desire to grow the game is already in motion with two expansion teams joining the league in 2026: Toronto and the Portland Fire. Philadelphia will get a team in 2030<\/a>.<\/p>\n