Dallas Wings select UConn star Azzi Fudd as number one pick in WNBA draft
Former UConn star Azzi Fudd has been selected as the number one overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA draft, securing a landmark $500,000 rookie salary and a reunion with former team-mate Paige Bueckers.
The highly rated guard’s selection marks the second consecutive year the Texas franchise has used the top pick on a University of Connecticut standout.
Bueckers, who went first overall to the Wings last year, was in attendance in New York alongside several other collegiate team-mates to celebrate the milestone.
“I’m excited to play again with Paige, she’s an incredible player,” Fudd said.
Landmark CBA delivers record salaries
The newly ratified collective bargaining agreement has drastically altered the financial landscape for incoming professionals.
As the premier selection, the talented shooter will earn nearly seven times the amount her former Huskies colleague received during her debut campaign.
The updated financial structure guarantees the second and third selections will receive $466,913 and $436,016 respectively.
Even players chosen in the second and third rounds are guaranteed a base salary of $270,000, surpassing the maximum veteran threshold under the previous system.
Miles heads to Minnesota
The Minnesota Lynx secured TCU guard Olivia Miles with the second overall selection.
The dynamic playmaker had opted to return for a final collegiate season rather than entering last year’s draft pool.
Having previously transferred from Notre Dame, she subsequently guided the Horned Frogs to a second consecutive Elite Eight appearance.
The Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky completed the top five selections of the evening.
Expansion franchises enter the fray
Newly formed franchises the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire occupied the subsequent positions in the drafting order.
The Tempo won a crucial coin toss to secure priority in the collegiate draft, while conceding the primary expansion draft choice to the Fire earlier this month.
Golden State followed in eighth, with Washington making two further first-round selections alongside picks for the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun and Atlanta Dream.
