Former UConn Huskies stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, who are in a romantic relationship, are now teammates again.
Bueckers, last year’s No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick, is teaming up with Fudd, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, on the Dallas Wings. But Dallas’ selection of Fudd at No. 1 overall is now facing scrutiny. Fudd was far from a lock to go No. 1 overall.
Advertisement
Did Dallas select Bueckers’ girlfriend as a favor to their star player?
Aug 8, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks on during the first half against the New York Liberty at College Park Center. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Among those calling out the WNBA is former Sports Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman, who shared a video on his TikTok account.
Pearlman called Dallas’ selection of Fudd at No. 1 overall the biggest story no one is talking about right now.
WNBA gets called out over the relationship
Pearlman is accusing the WNBA of asking people not to talk about it.
“Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are in a long-term relationship, and nobody’s mentioning it. And the WNBA clearly has asked people not to mention it. And it’s very journalistically confusing to me,” he said.
Advertisement
“Like, it is fascinating that these two people who have been dating for a long time, dating back to college, would be the starting backcourt for a team. To me, that is actually the number one piece of this story. It’s not just that they drafted Azzi Fudd, they drafted Azzi Fudd to play with her longtime partner, Paige Bueckers.”
Pearlman pointed out that Fudd’s relationship with Bueckers wasn’t mentioned by ESPN’s draft broadcast, or in print write-ups about the Wings’ pick from ESPN.com, The Athletic, or the Dallas Morning News.
The longtime sports reporter is continuing to ask questions.
Advertisement
“Either the agents of these players or the league itself is telling reporters, if you want access, do not mention this. Don’t bring it up,” he explained.
“I actually think it’s more of an unfair judgment of women, not to mention it. Like, why is this taboo? Why are two women in a relationship even remotely taboo in 2026? It shouldn’t be at all.
“Is that a sign of the times, is that the political world we live in? I don’t understand. But to me … it’s the number one story, that the Wings have taken this roll-of-the-dice on this. Hopefully it’ll work. What happens when you have two people, you reunite them together, they’re in the same backcourt, but they also date, and they love each other, and blah, blah, blah, young love. It’s an amazing, amazing story.”
Advertisement
WNBA fans, meanwhile, are defending it.
“WNBA is a business, relationships are personal. Hope this helps!” one wrote.
“Paige and Azzi have intentionally not been seen/posting as a couple since after (I believe) WNBA All-star. Azzi will occasionally mention Paige on her podcast. The amount of attention these young ladies received was so over the top and overwhelming,” one fan added.
“They’ve been playing together since HS. Their relationship has nothing to do with their chemistry. It also wasn’t the story for them in college so it really shouldn’t be the driving focus,” one fan added.
Advertisement
The Wings, meanwhile, are scheduled to open the regular season on May 9 against Indiana.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.