Paige Bueckers Clarifies Relationship with Fellow No. 1 Pick Azzi Fudd: “Nobody’s Business”

Dallas Wings guards Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have been playing together since their time with the UConn Huskies.

Paige Bueckers Clarifies Relationship with Fellow No. 1 Pick Azzi Fudd: “Nobody’s Business”

Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Paige Bueckers emphasized that her relationship with Azzi Fudd is private and not for public discussion.
  • Bueckers stated that both players maintain professionalism and will not let their personal relationship affect their performance on the court.
  • The Dallas Wings selected Fudd as the No. 1 pick based on her talent, not solely due to her relationship with Bueckers.

The Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd with their No. 1 overall pick this year to pair alongside UConn teammate and last year’s first-overall pick Paige Bueckers.

The idea behind it was simple. The two have extensive experience playing together and won the 2024 NCAA National Championship as teammates.

They are also in a relationship, as Bueckers openly declared during her rookie campaign. Since then, many felt that the Wings would look to please their franchise cornerstone by selecting her girlfriend.

Even though many mock drafts felt that the franchise would be better off selecting paint scorers such as Lauren Betts or Awa Fam, the Wings splurged on Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard to ensure their sights stay firmly on Fudd.

Then came the inaugural press conference, and a reporter asked the rookie whether she and Bueckers were still in a relationship, and how it would impact their jobs with the Wings.

The team’s PR intervened and stopped Fudd from answering by stating that no questions about the players’ personal relationships would be allowed. This caused a furor, as male athletes are subjected to such questions.

Quite frankly, I believe me and Azzi’s personal relationship is nobody’s business but our own. And what we choose to share is completely up to us.

Paige Bueckers started off her press conference with this

This was the reigning Rookie of the Year, making it clear that even though she and Azzi Fudd share their relationship on social media, it is their choice. But they would not talk about it to the media if they decide not to.

Paige Bueckers clarifies basketball aspect of her relationship with Azzi Fudd

After talking about what Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd want to do with their personal lives, the 24-year-old then went on to address the basketball side of things.

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd with UConn
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd with UConn (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

Me and Azzi have always been the utmost professionals. We have always conducted ourselves as such. We’ve never let anything that happens off the court carry onto the court. That’s what we will continue to do… Me and Azzi are not new to this.

Paige Bueckers stated

The Minnesota native was categorically clear that she and her girlfriend have balanced their professional and personal lives during their four years together at UConn.

That is enough experience for them to know how to handle each other both on and off the court with the Dallas Wings. Therefore, they will do their bit to show up and help their team win games.

Bueckers also made it clear that her organization did not draft Fudd as she was her girlfriend. Rather, the guard earned her label as this year’s No. 1 pick solely due to her producing a career-best campaign in college.

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd’s relationship will be a blessing for Wings

In the WNBA, it is stated that teams that have drafted back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in the draft generally go on to win a championship within the first few years.

The Seattle Storm did it twice, with two different sets of No. 1 picks winning four championships in total. After that, the Las Vegas Aces managed to win three titles with their three consecutive No. 1 overall picks.

The Indiana Fever are up next to repeat history after selecting Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark No. 1 overall in two consecutive years.

It is not clear if the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd with this trend in mind. But GMs hardly operate on trends, and generally go with what players would suit them best.

With that in mind, her relationship with Paige Bueckers is enough reason for GM Curt Miller to pull the trigger. If anything, their mutual understanding is something that can help the Wings right away.

In all other instances, the No.1 picks had to acclimatize with each other. Bueckers and Fudd have four years of playing experience to lean on. One less problem for the Wings as they look to incorporate their offseason additions.

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