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Bueckers Stays Private as Fudd Becomes No. 1 WNBA Pick

4/29/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Bueckers Declines Inquiry

April 27, 2026, Paige Bueckers said she will discuss her relationship with Azzi Fudd once and will focus on basketball.
She called the relationship private and said they are professional on court.
Azzi Fudd earned the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft on talent and UConn performance.
After the Dallas Wings' PR team shut down a question, Bueckers, reigning Rookie of the Year, will not answer further personal-life queries.

Summary

Dallas Drafts Fudd

Dallas secured the WNBA lottery in both 2025 and 2026, earning consecutive No. 1 overall picks.
General Manager Curt Miller said global scouting of the 2026 draft led to selecting Caitlin Fudd for her shooting and defense.
Fudd arrived after posting 17.3 points per game and a 45 % three-point clip as a UConn senior.
The team hopes the Bueckers-Ogunbowale-Fudd backcourt will end a 13-year run of losing seasons.

History

Historical Context

On Jan 22, 1997 the WNBA held its first player allocation, followed by an elite draft on Feb 27 and a four-round college draft on Apr 28, 1997, establishing the league’s inaugural roster-building system. Houston selected Tina Thompson first overall; she, Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes formed the Comets core that captured the 1997 championship and launched a dominant early era.

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Bueckers Declines Inquiry

April 27, 2026, Paige Bueckers said she will discuss her relationship with Azzi Fudd once and will focus on basketball.
She called the relationship private and said they are professional on court.
Azzi Fudd earned the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft on talent and UConn performance.
After the Dallas Wings' PR team shut down a question, Bueckers, reigning Rookie of the Year, will not answer further personal-life queries.

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