It all goes back to their high school days in 2017, when Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd met at a USA Basketball camp while trying out for the same position on the U16 National Team. And, well, it wasn’t always the way it is today. “This white girl got nothing on me, I don’t need to worry about her. I quickly realized that I was wrong,” Fudd told SLAM. Yes, she was, and she realized that pretty quickly. After that, as the story goes, it was during a flight back from the USA camp to Minnesota, with the two seated next to each other, that they first clicked. Years have passed since then, and their friendship has only deepened.
Just a few days ago, Bueckers and Fudd were catching up over FaceTime with Bueckers rocking a full Dallas fit: blue tracksuit, white hat, and yes, those unforgettable cowboy boots that screamed yeehaw energy. Fudd’s reaction? Pure “OMG,” like she was about to leap through the screen and do a full-on clickity-clack dance on the other side. But alas, the besties are miles apart these days, and the distance is starting to sting. Don’t just take our word for it – check their TikTok feeds. Both dropped separate videos that not-so-subtly scream, “I miss my best friend,” without saying a word.
While Fudd posted a song reflecting her feelings, Bueckers followed with one that sang: “If she don’t miss me, MISS ME / If she don’t miss me, HISTORY / If she don’t miss me, it’s a mystery.” So, clearly, it’s a full-blown long-distance couple moment right now.
I be thinking about azzi in this tiktok at least 100 times a day…I am no better than paige bueckers pic.twitter.com/k38Zc8lHVx
— jo (@thearkvi) June 29, 2025
And honestly, it all adds up, especially when you look back at just how inseparable they were in those final days before Paige packed her bags for Dallas. Fudd even flew out to see her off and has been a regular at Wings games since, proudly repping Bueckers’ jersey. But when it’s a six-year bond we’re talking about, courtside seats and team merch just aren’t enough.
All the times the internet has gone into a frenzy!
It all comes up as even after there is a big W between them, Bueckers and Fudd continue to maintain the connection they have built. Well, it has been on full display ever since Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Dressed in a sparkly suit, Bueckers sat alongside Fudd, who wore a flowy black gown that instantly had fans obsessed. Fudd was the only friend sitting at the table for draft picks.
And she wasn’t just there; she was front and center, fully supportive. So, when Bueckers’ name was called, Fudd was the first to hug her. Since then, they’ve found ways to stay close, especially through TikTok. Right after the draft, Fudd posted a series of photos from the orange carpet featuring the two of them, adding fuel to the ongoing speculation about the two dating. Then came the subtle clues. At her first Dallas Wings press conference, fans noticed Bueckers wearing a ring that appeared to have Fudd’s birthstone. Not long after, Fudd showed up at a press event wearing a ring that matched Bueckers’ birthstone. And yes, there was even a TikTok where Fudd wore a necklace with a heart pendant and Bueckers’ jersey number on it. A few weeks later, Fudd posted a mirror selfie with a phone case that declared: “Paige Bueckers’ girlfriend.”
From collaborations with Oreo Cookies to launching their own merchandise, their close friendship has always been incredibly apparent. And if you still have any doubts, just look at the time when Bueckers supported Fudd throughout her recovery journey, even sending her a bouquet after surgery.
“Through that whole thing, she came and visited me before my surgery. After surgery, she was the first one to call. She was always texting me, checking up on me, and making sure that my spirits were high throughout the whole thing,” Fudd told Go Mag at the time.
NCAA, College League, USA Womens Basketball: Louisville at Connecticut Dec 7, 2024 Brooklyn, New York, USA Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd 35 and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers 5 celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Barclays Center New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xLucasxBolandx 20241207_LJB_zr4_2455
Bueckers even made her best assist for UConn by helping the team recruit Fudd for the next season. She tweeted “#GetAzziToUConn” and even admitted to persuading Fudd into joining the program.
But now, Fudd and Bueckers are no longer teammates, which also means the rules around teammates dating no longer apply. So, knowing the genuine care they’ve always had for each other, and the fact that collegiate regulations may have kept things under wraps, it’s fair to wonder: Were they just waiting for the right time? What do you think? Are they really dating now?
The post Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd Spark Buzz With Viral TikToks About Missing Each Other appeared first on EssentiallySports.
