Wings stars clarify off-court status

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, the two most recent top selections in the WNBA draft, spoke on a podcast this week to clarify their personal relationship and address questions about their team dynamics. The Dallas Wings players used the platform to explain that they are no longer a couple while emphasizing their professional bond on the court.

The two athletes first connected as teammates at the University of Connecticut. Their status as former romantic partners became a public point of discussion when the Wings selected Fudd with the No. 1 pick in April. Some observers questioned whether their relationship influenced the selection, especially after Fudd was chosen over TCU guard Olivia Miles. Miles went on to win Rookie of the Year for the Minnesota Lynx that season.

The 2026 draft class included other notable players. Spain's Awa Fam was taken third by the Seattle Storm. The remaining top picks were teammates from the champion UCLA Bruins: Lauren Betts went to the Washington Mystics, Gabriela Jaquez to the Chicago Sky, and Kiki Rice to the Toronto Tempo. Fudd, Fam, Betts, and Miles all held the No. 1 spot in ESPN's mock drafts during the months leading up to the April draft.

Bueckers stated that the Wings made their decision based on Fudd's merit alone. She noted that the two were not in a relationship at the time of the draft. Bueckers said, "She was not drafted because she was my girlfriend. She was drafted because she deserved it. She's an amazing human, an amazing basketball player." She added that the pair remain friends and professionals after playing a full season together.

Fudd spent part of her rookie year recovering from an injury. She averaged 13.1 points per game but played only 30 games before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee in August. She described her offseason as busy with rehabilitation, training, and travel. Fudd identified her isolation game as an area for improvement, citing Bueckers as an inspiration for her ability to create plays from anywhere on the floor.

Bueckers had a strong statistical year, averaging 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. She earned a spot on the All-WNBA second team as Dallas secured the No. 7 seed for the playoffs. The Wings were eliminated in the first round by the eventual champion Golden State Valkyries. Bueckers praised the Valkyries' defensive intensity, describing their traps and blitzes as a valuable learning experience for her first playoff appearance.

Reflecting on the loss, Bueckers said she was frustrated for about a week and reached out to former star Sue Bird for perspective. She acknowledged that she did not play to her potential but viewed the season as a period of growth against a high-quality opponent.

The players also addressed the Wings' move to a new home for next season. The team will play at the 19,000-seat American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas, replacing UT Arlington's College Park Center, which has a capacity of over 7,000. The franchise has played in Texas since 2016. Bueckers expressed excitement about the change, noting that while the new venue will draw more attention, the players hope fans will view their on-court interactions as standard team behavior.

Both Fudd and Bueckers said they do not tolerate negativity or the practice of criticizing others to elevate one's own team. Bueckers mentioned receiving messages from fans, friends, and family regarding their dynamic. She urged observers to stop overanalyzing their interactions. Fudd added with a laugh that the team does not need fan messages about what teammates are doing, noting that they have addressed the necessary points and the rest remains a private matter between them.