Azee Fudd has secured the top pick in the WNBA draft, marking a significant milestone and a $500,000 salary. Fudd, who described her feelings of being drafted as surreal, is set to reunite with former teammate Paige Bueckers on the Wings. This draft also saw a record number of players from UCLA being selected, with Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez among the top five picks. UCLA’s achievement broke the previous record for first-round draft picks held by the Huskies.
In total, 11 international players were drafted, highlighting the global appeal of the WNBA, including Spanish players like Awa Fam Thiam, marking significant milestones for international talent. The new collective bargaining agreement will ensure higher salaries, with the top three players earning substantial pay increases.
Fudd and her mother, Katie Smulka-Duffy Fudd, made history as a mother-daughter duo in the league, following in the footsteps of other notable family pairings in the WNBA. Overall, the draft showcased a blend of college standout players and international prospects, reflecting the growing global presence of women’s basketball.
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