UCLA made WNBA history on draft night, placing five players in the first round and six overall — both all-time records for a single program in one draft. The unprecedented haul cemented the Bruins' status as the dominant force in women's college basketball.
The draft's top pick was UConn guard Azzi Fudd, selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings. Fudd told CBS Sports that her existing chemistry with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, who is already on the Wings' roster, makes the fit "easy." ESPN reported that the No. 1 selection marked a historic moment the league hadn't seen from UConn in 15 years.
Among UCLA's record-setting class, center Lauren Betts was taken fourth overall by the Washington Mystics, while Gabriela Jaquez was also selected in the first round. Yahoo Sports graded every first-round pick, highlighting the depth of UCLA's talent pipeline under its coaching staff.
The New York Times identified clear winners and losers from the draft, pointing to the UCLA seniors and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert among the biggest beneficiaries of a night that showcased the sport's surging popularity. Television viewership and fan engagement around the WNBA draft have grown dramatically in recent years, a trend this class is expected to accelerate.
