Paige Bueckers confirms split with Azzi Fudd happened over a year ago
The former UConn teammates were drafted back-to-back by the Dallas Wings and played together last season before their romantic relationship ended.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Paige Bueckers stated on Friday that she and Azzi Fudd ended their romantic relationship more than a year ago. The announcement clarifies the timeline between their breakup and their time as teammates with the Dallas Wings.
Fudd initially disclosed the split on the latest episode of her podcast, Fudd Around and Find Out, which went public on Friday. Bueckers joined the show to discuss the news and addressed ongoing speculation regarding the team's draft strategy.
The two players were selected as back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA draft. Bueckers argued that Fudd’s selection was based on merit rather than their personal history. “She was not drafted because she was my girlfriend. She was drafted because she deserved it,” Bueckers said. She added that they remain friends.
During the previous season, both players represented the Wings. Bueckers, the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, helped lead the team to the playoffs. Dallas lost to the eventual champion Golden State in the first round. Fudd started the season on the bench but became a full-time starter after six games.
Fudd’s rookie campaign was interrupted by right knee issues. She missed time after 30 games to undergo arthroscopic surgery and averaged 13.1 points per game. Before joining Dallas, Bueckers identified Fudd as her girlfriend in a July 2025 interview following their national championship win at UConn.
The pair addressed their relationship professionally during the 2025 preseason. A Wings spokeswoman blocked a question about their status at Fudd’s introductory press conference last spring. Bueckers later noted in an opening statement that they maintained a professional dynamic on the court while withholding private details.
