Paige Bueckers did not say anything at first when Azzi Fudd was drafted. But now, a few days later, she has shared how she really feels. The Dallas Wings picked Azzi Fudd as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York. That moment brought her back together with Paige Bueckers, who was already on the team after being the top pick last year. The two have known each other for a long time. They played together at UConn and even before that when they were teenagers. They also won a national championship together in college. Many fans already knew about their close bond, and there have been talks about their relationship for months. Still, both players have mostly stayed quiet about their personal lives.Things got more attention when a reporter tried to ask about their relationship during Azzi Fudd’s first press conference. A Dallas Wings staff member stopped the question before she could answer. That moment quickly spread online and started a big debate about what should and should not be asked. Now, after the team’s first practice, Paige Bueckers has spoken. She did not focus on the personal side but made it clear how special this moment is for both of them as players.
Paige Bueckers praises Azzi Fudd’s game and opens up on reunion after Dallas Wings draft
Paige Bueckers spoke to reporters after practice and kept her focus on basketball, but her words still showed how much this reunion means. She said, “Obviously, we have a lot of experience playing together, going back to when we were like 16. I know her game really well, she knows my game really well.”She added, “So to be able to be back on this stage, to live out our dreams, this is stuff we talked about since we were freshmen in high school.”Paige Bueckers also talked about how their journey has come full circle. “We got to be together in college, we got to play together at the junior Olympic level, now we get to play in the WNBA together. It’s just a dream come true.”When she spoke about Azzi Fudd’s playing style, Paige Bueckers gave a clear picture of what she brings to the team. She said, “In terms of the basketball aspect of it, she just affects the game in so many different ways. Obviously, everybody talks about her shooting, but it’s her ability to slash, to cut, her IQ.”She continued, “Defensively, she disrupts a lot of stuff. Her game has so many aspects to it, it provides us with so many different things to do offensively and defensively.”Paige Bueckers also pointed out Azzi Fudd’s shooting strength. “Just having her on the floor, she’s a 40-plus percent three-point shooter, so to have that spacing… she’ll do a lot of great things for us.”Before these comments, the media moment around Azzi Fudd’s press conference had already gone viral. According to USA Today’s Meghan Hall, a Dallas Wings PR staff member stepped in and stopped a question about their relationship. That move led to strong reactions online.Former NFL player Dez Bryant said the reporter had every right to ask. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy also agreed, saying it was a fair question, even if the players chose not to answer. Others felt the team should have let Azzi Fudd respond herself.Even with all the outside noise, Paige Bueckers made one thing clear. For her, the focus right now is simple, playing basketball again with someone she has trusted for years.