It was a hectic few weeks for the WNBA leading up to the league’s 30th draft held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in Manhattan (New York City) this past Monday.
A new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was finally agreed upon on March 20 and the league’s free agent signing period has been extremely active. Of particular interest to New York Liberty fans was the expected signing of New York City-born, Germany raised power forward Satou Sabally, who last season played for the Pheonix Mercury. Her younger sister, Nyara Sabally, was a Liberty mainstay from 2023 through last season. Additionally, major trades were made such as the WNBA’s 2024 and 2025 rebounding leader, Angel Reese, being traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks (2027 and 2028).
The league will open the 2026 regular season on May 8 with more roster spots, as the expansion Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo make their debut. The new CBA also allows each team to carry a 12-player active roster and two developmental players, who will receive a stipend and benefits.
On draft night Azzi Fudd of the University of Connecticut joined a decorated group of Huskies — Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers — in being No. 1 overall picks. Fudd was selected by the Dallas Wings, which is rebuilding mode with new head coach Jose Fernandez.
“I know how to play with great players,” said Fudd, whose mother, Katie, was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in 2001. “I know how to space the floor. I know how to move without the ball. So, I’m just excited to go in to learn.”
The Liberty’s lone pick came in the third round, selecting Manuela Puoch from Australia. The local name in the draft was Olivia Miles, a New Jersey native that played her college basketball at Notre Dame and Texas Christian University, who was the second overall pick, going to the Minnesota Lynx.
“I’m a Jersey kid,” Miles said. “I have a lot of people waiting for me at the watch party. I can’t wait to go over to them. …Thank you to the Minnesota Lynx for believing in me and taking a chance. I’m excited to get to work.”
The draft also produced a historic night as five players from this year’s NCAA Champion, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalić, and Gianna Kneepkens — were selected in the first round, which tops the four UConn players who were first-round picks in 2002. Furthemore, all six UCLA seniors were selected, with Charlisse Leger-Walker going early in the second round.
“I want to say I’m surprised, but I’m not because I just know how talented all my teammates are, and they deserve every single bit of this night,” said Betts. “They’ve worked so hard and I’ve seen their journeys.”
Draft night was also very much about fashion and style, with multiple players thanking their stylists. None were chicer than Flau’jae Johnson of Louisiana State University, who said she wanted a look that reflected “WNBA Draft and 6 and Met Gala at 6:30.” Chosen by the Golden State Valkyries, by evening’s end she had been traded to the Seattle Storm.