Paige Bueckers is turning heads in her rookie WNBA season, delivering not just elite-level performance on the court but also commanding attention off it. Averaging 18.2 points and 5.5 assists per game, she’s proving that her dominance at UConn wasn’t a college fluke but a preview of what was to come. That isn’t the only thing from UConn that she has carried into the WNBA.
Off the court, her bond with longtime friend and former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd has sparked growing interest, stirring up both admiration and curiosity. Fans have affectionately dubbed the pair “Pazzi,” and their chemistry has taken on a life of its own in the public eye. The rumors gained traction when Bueckers signed a fan poster that read “Azzi Fudd’s Girlfriend,” a moment that sent social media into a frenzy. Fudd was in Phoenix to watch the Wings lose to the Mercury. She and Bueckers held hands after the game. Adding fuel, a recent photo of the two together only deepened the intrigue.
Fudd posted a story with a photo of her and Bueckers with a pink heart-shaped emoji beside Bueckers’ name and her hand on her shoulders while captioning it, “Travel Dayy.” Bueckers reposted the story while writing her own caption that particularly sparked more intrigue in their relationship. Bueckers wrote, “Love when a former teammate joins me,” along with a smiling face with a heart emoji. Was Bueckers’ comment sarcastic or literal? The mystery continues.
No because I see Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd together and I believe in love again even though I’m going through the worst heartbreak of my life. Something about them is so endearing! pic.twitter.com/A4CnIKmrzl
— Roberta F. Rodrigues (@robertawbb) July 8, 2025
Based on past events this season, that was likely a sarcastic quip from the cheeky Bueckers. Fudd and Bueckers have been sighted in a couple of situations multiple times this season. There was that poster signing, but we can’t be sure she even read what was written on the poster, as she signs so many after each game. Days before that, Fudd’s Instagram story virtually hard-launched the two.
Fudd posted a mirror selfie from the salon, tagging her hairstylist and adding the caption, “The absolute best.” But it wasn’t the haircut that had fans in a frenzy. The real buzz came from what was on her phone case, clearly visible in the reflection. It read, “Paige Bueckers’ Girlfriend.” That small detail sent social media into overdrive, with fans interpreting it as a playful confirmation of the rumors that have followed the two for months. But her hairstylist said with a grin that they were besties. Since then, Fudd has been seen with a different phone case, this time a plain pink one, which only added more fuel to the speculation.
Paige Bueckers played a key role in bringing Azzi Fudd to UConn, personally recruiting her to join the Huskies. From the start, the two were inseparable. They lit up TikTok with dance videos, starred together in an Oreo commercial wearing competing pink outfits, and even spent part of the lockdown side by side. Fudd has announced she’s returning to UConn for one final season, but the WNBA is already on the horizon.
When she makes that leap, she’s expected to be a top-five pick. With Bueckers already thriving in her rookie year and earning All-Star status, the idea of a reunion is hard to ignore. The Dallas Wings, sitting at 6-14, could be in a position to draft Fudd. If that happens, and they land together again, it would feel less like a coincidence and more like destiny. If she does, Fudd and Bueckers could become quite the duo after the season Bueckers is having.
Another Day, Another Record Broken By Paige Bueckers
Let’s get back to Bueckers’ on-court accomplishments, shall we? She is having a stellar career at Dallas Wings after being drafted No.1 in the WNBA draft. She is averaging 18.2 points,5.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds as a rookie and is already a WNBA All-Star starter. The only rookie this year Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are selected as the reserves. She has also moved into a tie for 7th all-time with the most consecutive double-digit scoring games to start a career, joining MVPs Elena Delle Donne and Lauren Jackson in doing so. But she also joined Caitlin Clark in another rare feat.
According to Polymarket Hoops, Paige Bueckers has joined Caitlin Clark as one of only two rookies in WNBA history to average at least 15 points and 5 assists through their first 15 games. Bueckers is currently leading Clark in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per game compared to Clark’s 16.1, while Clark holds a slight edge in assists with 6.5 per game. What sets Bueckers apart is her efficiency and decision-making.
While Clark faced well-documented struggles with ball control in her rookie season, averaging 5.6 turnovers per game, Bueckers has kept her average to just 2.3. Clark eventually hit her stride in the final third of the season, but Bueckers is already showing a level of composure and balance that hints at sustained excellence from the start. It was worse for Clark while starting out, as her 10 turnovers on debut were a WNBA record.
May 19, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks on during the second half against the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Clark has other strengths and points over Bueckers, but the Dallas rookie is carving out her own path as her net voting for the All-Star game was even higher than Clark’s. She also garnered the most fan votes for a rookie ever, even surpassing Clark’s mark last year by more than 100,000 votes. That’s on top of being named the Rookie of the Month for June.
As the spotlight continues to shine on Paige Bueckers, both for her breakout performance on the court and her increasingly visible bond with Azzi Fudd off it, one thing is clear: she is living up to the hype. In a league already buzzing with star power, Bueckers is carving her lane with composure and consistency. Whether she and Fudd are destined to become the WNBA’s next iconic duo or simply two elite athletes with a deep connection, their story is capturing the imagination of fans in a way that transcends basketball. And if her rookie season is any indication, Bueckers is only getting started.
The post Paige Bueckers Drops 7-Word Azzi Fudd Admission After Viral Heartwarming Gesture appeared first on EssentiallySports.
