WNBA Draft Odds: Why the No. 1 Pick Isn’t a Lock in 2026 | Latest Sports News

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The No. 1 overall pick in most drafts is predictable. This year’s WNBA Draft? Not even close.

The WNBA Draft odds shifted again — and this time, it’s meaningful. Azzi Fudd has now taken over as the betting favorite at both DraftKings and FanDuel, overtaking Awa Fam, who had been hovering in that top spot.

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Olivia Miles remains within striking distance, but this is the clearest indication yet that the top pick may be trending away from Fam.

WNBA Draft odds to be No. 1 pick

Odds as of 4-10-26.

Guard vs center: The decision shaping this market

At the core of this market is a simple but critical question: What do the Dallas Wings need more?

• Azzi Fudd offers elite perimeter shooting and the potential to reunite with basketball/wnba/players/364365/paige-bueckers” rel=”nofollow noopener” Paige Bueckers in the backcourt.

• Awa Fam and Lauren Betts bring size, rim protection, and long-term upside in the frontcourt.

Both directions address clear weaknesses, which is exactly why the odds remain so tight.

Breaking down the favorite to go No. 1 overall

Azzi Fudd

Azzi Fudd spent four seasons at UConn, developing into one of the most efficient perimeter scorers in the class. She averaged 17.3 points per game in her final season while shooting an elite 42% from three-point range for her career, consistently spacing the floor on a loaded Huskies roster.

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More importantly, she was a key contributor on a championship-caliber team, showing the ability to play within structure while still delivering high-level scoring.

There’s also a natural fit with the Dallas Wings if they lean toward familiarity, as Fudd was a four-year teammate — and off-court partner — of Paige Bueckers at UConn. That built-in chemistry could make the transition seamless and strengthen an already guard-heavy core.

Awa Fam

Awa Fam enters the draft as one of the youngest and most intriguing prospects on the board, bringing a rare combination of size, mobility, and professional experience. The 6’4” center has already competed against grown professionals with Valencia Basket and the Spanish national team, showing flashes of high-end upside despite modest counting stats.

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She averaged just seven points and 4.8 rebounds this past season, but her value goes beyond the box score, projecting as a long-term interior presence with defensive versatility and room to grow offensively.

For the Dallas Wings, Fam represents a different direction than the guard-heavy route. If Dallas prioritizes size, rim protection, and future upside, she fits the profile of a player who could help reshape the frontcourt over time.

Lauren Betts

Like Fudd, Lauren Betts is a winner, coming off a national championship at UCLA, where she was named Most Outstanding Player. The four-year standout averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting an efficient 62% from the field, anchoring both ends of the floor.

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At 6’7”, she offers elite size and projects immediately as a high-level rim protector, with the defensive presence to impact games from day one.

The question is how well her offensive game translates at the next level. While dominant in college, her scoring profile may require adjustment against faster, more physical pro defenses.

If Dallas is looking for the safest frontcourt option with proven production, Betts offers a strong middle ground between immediate impact and long-term fit.

A lack of clear direction

Maybe Wings’ head coach Jose Fernandez is playing coy, or maybe he’s telling the truth. Fernadez is on record as saying:

“There’s been some separation from some folks, so it’s going to be based on need.”

That’s not the language of a team that’s locked in on one prospect. It’s a sign the Wings are still trying to decide which path they are going to go down when it comes to roster construction.

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How the Wings’ free agency moves are shaping the No. 1 pick market

The Dallas Wings have already made key moves in free agency, and it’s starting to influence how the betting market views the top of the draft.

Locking in Arike Ogunbowale on a multi-year deal keeps a high-usage guard in place, while bringing in Jessica Shepard adds frontcourt depth and lineup flexibility. On top of that, moving Diamond Miller to create additional cap space signals that Dallas is still actively shaping its roster rather than locking into one direction.

That uncertainty is exactly why the odds at No. 1 remain tight.

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If the Wings feel comfortable with their current guard rotation, it could lessen the urgency to take another backcourt player at the top of the draft. But with added flexibility and roster spots still in play, Dallas hasn’t tipped its hand — and the market is reflecting that by keeping the race between Awa Fam and Azzi Fudd close.

Who should the Wings draft?

Unlike in past years, the No.1 spot in this year’s draft can go one of three ways.

If you’re the Wings, Fudd seems like the safest option in the draft, but finding shooters is a lot easier than finding high-upside bigs who can protect the rim and contribute offensively.

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Free agency will have a role to play in the direction the Wings take on draft day, but on a guard-heavy team, you have to look to shore up the defense and protect the paint.

Best Bet: Awa Fam (+140 at bet365)

*Pick made April 7 at 7 pm E.T.*

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