The WNBA season tips off Friday with a bang, and this year feels different. With a new collective bargaining agreement in place and expansion teams in Portland and Toronto ready for their debut campaigns, excitement is at an all-time high. While we'll have plenty of game picks later this summer, let's dive into the Rookie of the Year race—and the betting trends that are turning heads.
According to BetMGM, the odds-on favorite is no surprise: Dallas Wings No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd. But here's the twist—despite her status as the top choice, bettors aren't exactly rushing to back her. Fudd is drawing just 4.8% of tickets and 6.3% of the handle, ranking fifth in both categories. That's surprisingly quiet for a player many expect to dominate from day one.
To understand the buzz, let's rewind. Last year, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers—both No. 1 picks in their respective drafts—ran away with Rookie of the Year honors. Clark, out of Iowa, and Bueckers, from UConn, became the only rookies in league history to average at least 15 points and five assists in their debut seasons. Now, the Wings are hoping history repeats itself.
Dallas won the draft lottery for the second straight year—only the fifth team to pick first in back-to-back drafts—and selected another UConn star in Fudd. She reunites with Bueckers, forming a dynamic duo that could reshape the franchise. Fudd was a first-team All-American last season, averaging 17.3 points while shooting a blistering 44.7% from beyond the arc. Thanks to the new CBA, she'll earn $500,000 in her rookie year—about seven times what Bueckers made last season.
But the Wings are in rebuild mode. They struggled last year despite Bueckers' brilliance, and now Jose Fernandez takes over as the team's fifth head coach since 2020. The good news? Fudd will see plenty of playing time, and Dallas opens with a marquee matchup at Indiana on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the real betting darling is No. 2 overall pick Hailey Miles. The former TCU point guard, selected by the Minnesota Lynx, is drawing a whopping 36.8% of tickets and 14.3% of the handle. Her odds have already shortened from +350 to +260. Miles, the 2026 Big 12 Player of the Year, brings a polished game and immediate impact potential. Could she be the value play that steals the spotlight from Fudd?
As the season gets underway, one thing is clear: the Rookie of the Year race is wide open, and the betting action tells a story of its own. Whether you're backing the favorite or hunting for value, this year's rookie class promises plenty of drama.