The 2026 WNBA Draft, held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City on April 13, delivered a night of excitement, history, and celebration for collegiate women’s basketball. The event shone a national spotlight on some of the game’s brightest stars, as Azzi Fudd of the University of Connecticut was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings, while South Carolina’s trio of Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, and Ta’Niya Latson also heard their names called—further cementing their programs’ reputations as elite talent pipelines.
For Azzi Fudd, the moment was the culmination of a stellar collegiate career and a testament to her relentless drive. Selected first overall, Fudd became the seventh UConn player to earn the top spot in the WNBA Draft, joining legends like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart. This selection also marked the third time UConn has produced back-to-back No. 1 picks, following Paige Bueckers’ selection in 2025. With this pick, Fudd also became the 51st WNBA draftee from UConn, a staggering number that underscores the Huskies’ dominance in women’s basketball.
Fudd’s 2025-26 season was nothing short of remarkable. She started all 39 games for the Huskies, averaging a career-high 17.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 48.9 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from beyond the arc, and a near-perfect 95.5 percent from the free-throw line. Her 673 points, 100 rebounds, 117 assists, 18 blocks, and 97 steals were all single-season career highs. Fudd’s sharpshooting prowess left her ranked fifth all-time in UConn history for career three-pointers made (292), seventh in three-point percentage (42.2%), and first in free-throw percentage (92.5%).
Her list of accolades is as impressive as her statistics. Fudd was named the 2025 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading UConn to the national championship, and she earned 2026 All-America honors from the WBCA, AP, and USBWA. She also stood out academically, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2024 and on track to receive her MBA in May 2026. As the 29th first-round pick in UConn history, Fudd now joins her former teammate Paige Bueckers in Dallas, reuniting a dynamic duo that led the Huskies to the 2025 NCAA title.
But the draft wasn’t just about UConn’s continued legacy. South Carolina’s women’s basketball program once again made a splash, with three seniors—Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, and Ta’Niya Latson—selected in the first and second rounds. Their selections continued a remarkable trend: at least one Gamecock has been drafted in 10 of the last 12 years, and the program leads the nation with 15 overall and eight first-round picks since 2020. Under head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina has become a perennial powerhouse, with four drafts featuring at least three Gamecocks selected, including each of the last two years.
Raven Johnson, the first Gamecock off the board, was taken 10th overall by the Indiana Fever. Johnson’s senior season was a showcase of her all-around game and leadership. She averaged 9.9 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting, including 39.8 percent from three-point range, and handed out 5.1 assists per game. Her defensive prowess earned her SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and she was named an All-American. Johnson’s clutch performances in the postseason were especially notable—she was named Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Sacramento Regional 4 after averaging 14.0 points on 52.2 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, including a sizzling 66.7 percent from deep, to help send the Gamecocks to their sixth-straight Final Four.
Madina Okot, selected 13th overall by the Atlanta Dream, quickly established herself as one of the nation’s top centers in just two NCAA seasons. In her lone year at South Carolina, Okot ranked third nationally with 22 double-doubles, averaged 10.6 rebounds per game, and shot 57.5 percent from the field. She was an All-SEC Second Team selection and led the Gamecocks in rebounding in 29 of 39 games played. Okot’s 22 double-doubles stand as the fifth-most in a season in program history, and she ranks second in offensive rebounds (149), third in total rebounds (412), and third in defensive rebounds (263) for a single season at South Carolina.
The Los Angeles Sparks used the fifth pick of the second round to select Ta’Niya Latson, capping a college career defined by adaptability and impact. After transferring to South Carolina to prepare for the WNBA, Latson earned All-America and all-conference honors for the fourth consecutive season. She finished her senior year averaging 14.1 points per game, shooting 48.6 percent from the field, and contributing 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and an 80.3 percent free-throw percentage. Latson’s postseason performances were electric—she dropped 28 points on 7-of-11 shooting (including a perfect 4-of-4 from three and 10-of-10 from the line) in her first NCAA Sweet 16, and posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in her Final Four debut against UConn, earning Final Four All-Tournament Team honors.
These draft results not only highlight individual excellence but also the sustained strength of both UConn and South Carolina. Since 2020, South Carolina has produced 15 WNBA draft picks—the most in the nation—and 13 first-round selections. The Gamecocks’ ability to develop talent is matched only by UConn’s storied pipeline, which now boasts 51 WNBA draftees and a staggering seven No. 1 overall picks. The 2026 draft also marked the second straight year with at least three Gamecocks selected, a feat achieved by only a handful of programs in NCAA history.
As the draftees look ahead to their professional careers, they leave behind legacies that will inspire future generations. Fudd’s journey from Arlington, Virginia, to UConn stardom and now to Dallas is a story of perseverance and excellence, both on and off the court. Johnson, Okot, and Latson’s paths through South Carolina showcase the value of teamwork, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of greatness. Their collegiate achievements—Final Four runs, conference titles, and individual accolades—have set a high bar for those who will follow.
The WNBA, meanwhile, gains an influx of talent ready to make an immediate impact. Fudd’s elite shooting and leadership should bolster the Dallas Wings alongside Bueckers, while Johnson’s defense and playmaking, Okot’s rebounding dominance, and Latson’s scoring versatility promise to energize their new teams. Fans across the league will be watching closely as these rookies transition to the pros, eager to see how their college brilliance translates to the highest level.
With the 2026 WNBA Draft now in the books, the basketball world turns its attention to the upcoming season. The new draftees step onto the professional stage with high expectations—and all eyes will be on them as they aim to make their mark from day one.