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Bueckers Calls Relationship Private, Praises Fudd’s Draft Merit

4/28/2026

30 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Bueckers Defends

On April 27, 2026, WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers said her relationship with Azzi Fudd is private.
Bueckers asserted that Fudd earned the No. 1 draft pick on her own merits.
Dallas Wings relations blocked a reporter’s question about the relationship at Fudd’s April 16, 2026 press conference.
GM Curt Miller highlighted Fudd’s 17.3 points per game and 45 % three-point shooting as key assets as the Wings’ preseason opens April 30, 2026.

Summary

Bueckers, Fudd Debut

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd will debut together Thursday against the Indiana Fever, with their first regular-season game on May 9 in Indianapolis.
The duo, who met at a U16 camp in 2017 and later won the 2025 national championship at UConn, are the WNBA’s second romantic couple on the same roster.
Bueckers recruited Fudd with the “#GetAzziToUConn” campaign in 2021 after Fudd committed in November 2020, though injuries limited their minutes.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 the WNBA began with eight teams, including the Los Angeles Sparks, and assigned star Lisa Leslie in its inaugural draft. The franchise that became the Dallas Wings moved from Tulsa to Arlington in 2016-17, continuing the league’s growth. The 2024 debut of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd on the Wings echoes the league’s early use of marquee players to attract fans.

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Bueckers Defends

On April 27, 2026, WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers said her relationship with Azzi Fudd is private.
Bueckers asserted that Fudd earned the No. 1 draft pick on her own merits.
Dallas Wings relations blocked a reporter’s question about the relationship at Fudd’s April 16, 2026 press conference.
GM Curt Miller highlighted Fudd’s 17.3 points per game and 45 % three-point shooting as key assets as the Wings’ preseason opens April 30, 2026.

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