Paige Bueckers Responds To Azzi Fudd Speculation With Strong Message
Bueckers told the media that her relationship with Azzi Fudd was “nobody’s business but their own.” Can we all finally be normal about them now?
Featured Image: Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
In an era when parasocial behavior is practically a daily hobby, people seem to forget that celebrities are, in fact, human beings with boundaries. Revolutionary concept, I know.
On Monday, at the 2026 Dallas Wings Media Day, WNBA star Paige Bueckers made it crystal clear that her relationship with teammate Azzi Fudd, is “nobody’s business but their own.” As she should—except, she shouldn’t have to.
Paige Bueckers addressed the media today on her relationship with Azzi Fudd and only plans on addressing it once:
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 27, 2026
"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. pic.twitter.com/OI8uiOqlJ4
Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick for the Dallas Wings in 2025, didn’t just shut down the noise, she also gave Fudd her flowers. Amid the online speculation that Fudd somehow landed her spot because of their relationship, Bueckers emphasized that is not the case.
Related: Azzi Fudd Goes No. 1 In WNBA Draft, Now Headed To Dallas Wings
“Azzi Fudd was the number one draft pick because she earned it. It had nothing to do with me and everything to do with who she is as a human being and as a basketball player. Her resilience, her strength and…her career at UCONN…she should be celebrated.”
She continues, “Me and Azzi are not new to this. We’ve been doing this for a long time. We have a lot of experience with it, so we will continue to use that experience to show up and be professionals, great teammates, great leaders, the hardest workers, and continue to show up and do our job and help the Dallas Wings win basketball games.”
After getting drafted first earlier this month, Fudd attended her first press conference for the Dallas Wings where she was awkwardly asked about her romantic relationship with Bueckers. Looks were shared between the head coach, the general manager and Fudd when the press representative for the team shut down the question.
A reporter asked Azzi Fudd about her relationship with Paige Bueckers, but the Wings' media team said they won't be commenting on their players' personal lives. pic.twitter.com/iH3enGfoVE
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 16, 2026
While seeing a couple play on the same team might be a new phenomenon for the people just tuning into the WNBA, this is not a new trend in the league. Think Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, Natasha Cloud and Isabelle Harrison, etc. The Dallas Wings even had a couple in the locker room last season and lord knows Nalyssa Smith and Dijonai Carrington were not handing their business as professionally (and quietly) as Bueckers and Fudd.
So, for all the new fans who are used to the hetero chaos of the NBA, quiet down and appreciate that chemistry off the court might actually be a plus to have on your team. I mean, Bueckers and Fudd did win a National Championship together.
Quick backstory on Fudd: She comes from athletic lineage—her mother was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in 2001, and her father played at American University. At UConn, she was named Most Outstanding Player when the Huskies clinched the 2025 NCAA Division I women’s basketball championship. Translation: she was always that girl. In fact, she was widely expected to be a top WNBA prospect before choosing to return to UConn for the 2025–2026 season to sharpen her game even further, per ESPN.
Now, for my lovergirls who live for lore, the two first crossed paths in 2017 at a USA Basketball U16 training camp, both competing for the same spot. Fudd famously admitted she underestimated Bueckers at first—only to quickly realize she was very wrong. From rivals to seatmates on a post-game flight to inseparable friends who bonded with each other’s families…yeah, the slow burn was simmering.
Related: Paige Bueckers And Azzi Fudd: A Comprehensive Relationship Timeline
By 2024, the internet had clocked the vibes—the lingering looks, flirty TikToks, and enough “hmm” moments to fuel sapphic twitter. Then came the sightings: hand-holding in June, followed by Buecker’s confirmation of their relationship in an interview at last year’s WNBA All-Star event. Sprinkle in that “Paige Bueckers’ girlfriend” phone case, too.
While it’s tempting to read into this rom-com level story, Fudd and Bueckers should have access to the same privacy and respect given to other athletes from the media and fans alike. Let’s all just appreciate that soon we will once again be hearing “Bueckers to Fudd” for a whole season.
