WNBA Draft 2023: Azzi Fudd Goes No. 1 to Dallas Wings with Record Contract, UCLA Stars Shine
Azzi Fudd, a former UConn star, has been selected as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft and is headed to Dallas with a significant $500,000 contract awaiting her. Fudd expressed her excitement and disbelief at being drafted, highlighting the surreal feeling of hearing her name called and sharing the moment with her family and former teammates. She will reunite with Paige Bueckers, her former Huskies teammate, who was the top pick for the Wings last year. Fudd praised Bueckers as an incredible player who makes basketball look easy.
UCLA standouts Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez were also top picks in the draft, shortly after leading the Bruins to their first NCAA championship. Kiki Rice, another UCLA player, was selected as the first pick for the expansion franchise, Toronto Tempo. UCLA made history by breaking UConn's record of having four players drafted in the first round, with players like Angela Dugalić and Gianna Kneepkens also being chosen in the draft.
The new collective bargaining agreement has significantly increased the pay for rookies in the WNBA, with Fudd set to earn nearly seven times more than the previous top pick. Players like Flau'jae Johnson, who was selected by Golden State before being traded to Seattle, expressed gratitude and a sense of responsibility in entering the league during its 30th season. Olivia Miles, who decided to stay in college last season before entering the draft, was chosen by Minnesota as the No. 2 pick.
The draft also saw Awa Fam Thiam being selected by Seattle, Lauren Betts by Washington, and Gabriela Jaquez by the Chicago Sky. Jaquez, the sister of Miami Heat player Jaime Jaquez Jr., now holds family bragging rights for being picked higher than her brother in their respective drafts. The draft marked a significant moment for these talented players as they embark on their professional basketball careers.