In a recent press conference for the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers addressed the media regarding her relationship with teammate Azzi Fudd. As the team prepares for the new season, Bueckers expressed her desire to keep personal matters private, stating that their relationship should remain solely between the two of them.
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Beginning the conference held on April 27, Bueckers opened with a warm greeting to the gathered media, wishing them well after the offseason. However, she quickly shifted her focus to the speculation surrounding her bond with Fudd, the Wings’ first overall draft pick. “There is something I wanted to address, and I only plan on addressing it once,” she said.
Bueckers stated firmly, “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.” Her comments highlight the challenges athletes face when personal relationships are thrust into the spotlight.
The former first overall pick, who was drafted a year prior to Fudd, acknowledged the role of the media in covering sports while calling for a shift in focus towards basketball. “Me and Azzi have always been the most professional; we’ve always conducted ourselves as such,” she explained, adding that off-court dynamics would not influence their performances on the court.
Bueckers commented on whether the nature of their relationship was a new topic for members of the media or for newer fans of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Reflecting on her and Fudd’s extensive experience, she affirmed their dedication to professionalism and teamwork, saying, “We have countless reps at it, and we’ll continue to use that experience to show up and be professionals, great teammates, great leaders, the hardest workers.”
As she concluded her remarks, Bueckers underscored that her personal connections should not be misconstrued as influencing Fudd’s selection in the draft. “Azzi Fudd was the number one draft pick because she earned it, and it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with who she is,” Bueckers stated. She confidently praised Fudd’s resilience and strength, asserting that Fudd is an “individual person” deserving of recognition for her achievements.
Bueckers and Fudd’s rapport extends back to 2017 when they first met during a USA Basketball U16 national team camp. Their journey together continued at the University of Connecticut, where they secured the national championship in 2025. Since then, a romance has been suggested, particularly after Bueckers described Fudd as her girlfriend during a WAG Talk interview, stirring further media interest.
Earlier in the month, during Fudd’s introductory press conference, a question arose regarding their romantic link. A reporter prompted Fudd by referencing Bueckers’ social media announcement, which was met with a quick intervention from a team executive. The executive respectfully declined to delve into the players’ private lives, indicating an effort to maintain boundaries regarding personal matters.
Nonetheless, Fudd did address her friendship with Bueckers later, referring to her as her “best friend” and expressing her happiness about reuniting with her on the Wings. “It’s so special. Here I am, no control over where I get drafted, and I get to play with my best friend again,” Fudd remarked in an interview. This sentiment captures the joy of their partnership, both on and off the court.
As both players embark on this new chapter with the Dallas Wings, it remains evident that they intend to focus on their professional commitments while navigating the complexities of public interest in their personal lives. Their dedication to maintaining professionalism on the court suggests that they are determined to excel as a duo, regardless of the challenges that may arise from outside speculation.