Chris Vasile
• Betting Analyst
13+ years betting experience
Updated:
Apr 7, 2026 , 09:00 PM ET
• 4 min read
The 2026 WNBA Draft doesn’t have the clear-cut No. 1 pick bettors are used to.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) against South Carolina Gamecocks.
The No. 1 overall pick in any sport is usually one of the most predictable outcomes on the board. This year, in the WNBA, it isn’t.
The latest WNBA Draft odds show Azzi Fudd as a slight favorite, with Awa Fam and Lauren Betts firmly in the mix — a pricing structure that signals real uncertainty at the top of the board.
And when a draft market looks like this, it’s usually telling you something important: the decision-makers may not be locked in either.
WNBA Draft odds to be No. 1 pick
Odds as of 4-7-26.
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Guard vs center: The decision shaping this market
At the core of this market is a simple but critical question: What do the Wings need more?
- Azzi Fudd offers elite perimeter shooting and the potential to reunite with 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.
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.
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.
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.
Why free agency could shift the odds
Since the new CBA was signed in March, the free agency period has been expedited in the biggest way.
Nearly 80% of the league is a free agent, and teams will be able to sign players as early as Saturday, April 11, just two days before the draft.
If the Wings address one need in free agency, the draft strategy could shift quickly, and the odds will likely follow.
This is a market that may not settle until the final days leading into draft night.
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.
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)
WNBA Draft FAQ
Azzi Fudd is currently listed as the slight favorite in WNBA Draft odds, with Awa Fam and Lauren Betts also firmly in the mix.
The Wings are expected to base their decision on roster needs rather than a consensus top prospect.
In a market without a clear favorite, value becomes the focus. Awa Fam at plus money offers upside if the Wings prioritize size and defense.