WNBA Draft Night: A Record‑Setting Evening for Women’s Basketball

Let’s Go WNBA Draft!! Did you watch? Please say you watched! First, thank you, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for continuing to raise the bar year after year! The 2026 WNBA Draft delivered everything fans hoped for: energy, history, surprises, and a reminder that the league continues to rise. From the opening moments, the Commissioner set the tone for the night, and Tina Thompson, who made history as the very first draft pick in the 1997 WNBA draft, was interviewed and enthusiastically underscored just how far the league has come and how high it continues to climb.

As the Associated Press highlighted, here are the key storylines from an unforgettable night.

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—> UCLA Makes History

UCLA dominated the draft in unprecedented fashion, setting a new WNBA record:

• 6 players drafted — the most ever by a single program in one draft
• 5 players selected in Round 1
• 1 player selected in Round 2

A pipeline like that doesn’t happen by accident. UCLA’s presence on the board was a statement — one that will shape the league for years to come.

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—> How the Draft Worked

• 15 teams made 45 picks across three rounds
• Dallas selected No. 1 overall for the second consecutive year

The top five picks went to:

1. Dallas  

2. Minnesota  

3. Seattle  

4. Washington  

5. Chicago

And expansion teams Toronto and Portland made their debut selections at No. 6 and No. 7

The league’s growth in talent, teams, and visibility was on full display.

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Azzi Fudd Goes No. 1 Overall

A major moment for the DMV: Azzi Fudd, Virginia native and proud graduate of St. John’s College High School, was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings.

Her journey, her talent, and her poise have been undeniable. Now, she steps onto the WNBA stage ready for prime time. 👏👏👏

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A Mid‑Draft Shockwave

Draft night drama arrived right on cue.

Midway through the event, Commissioner Engelbert announced a major trade: Golden State sent FLA’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Marta Suárez.

The room fell silent — then erupted in surprise. It was the kind of twist that reminds fans why draft night is must‑see basketball.

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Another Night to Remember for Family and Friends

The night was filled with pride and promise. Families filled the room, emotions stayed grounded, and every pick felt earned. The fashion was bold, the energy was electric, and the future of the WNBA continues to shine brighter each year.

And for fans in the nation’s capital, there’s even more to celebrate.

We must shine the spotlight on the Washington Mystics, who are getting bigger and better. Mystics strengthened their roster with two standout additions:

• Lauren Betts — 6'7"
• Angela Dugalic — 6'4"

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Size, skill, and presence. DC is cooking.

And if you are dying to learn more about the WNBA past drafts and franchise picks, go to Basketball Reference - https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/draft/?utm_source=copilot.com, which is a great site for information and history.