Paige Bueckers Addresses Relationship with Azzie Fudd

After a few days filled with speculation and hesitance, Paige Bueckers finally touched on the topic that had many talking: her relationship with Azzie Fudd.

During the Dallas Wings media day, Bueckers asserted that her personal life is hers alone. “Honestly, I think my relationship with Azzie is something that only concerns us,” she stated to reporters. “What we have is entirely personal.”

At the same time, she tackled lingering concerns about how off-court issues might affect their performance on the court. Bueckers remarked, “We’ve always kept off-court matters from influencing what we do on the court, and we’ll continue to do that.”

She also dismissed any notion that Fudd’s draft position was influenced by their relationship, a theory circulating among many casual observers of women’s basketball. “Azzie was drafted number one because she deserved it. It had nothing to do with me or her character, but rather her hard work, resiliency, and the best year she had in college,” Bueckers explained.

For those following women’s basketball, this was hardly surprising. Fudd is a standout prospect regardless of where she ends up, and her fit with the Dallas team made the decision straightforward.

However, it’s clear that Bueckers wants to keep their relationship under wraps for now. She hinted at discussing it further at one time but didn’t elaborate further.

Looking back, it’s interesting to think this could have been handled more smoothly from the start. Instead of the awkward PR stunt at Fudd’s introductory press conference, which only seemed to amplify the speculation, they could have simply addressed it directly. But, as they say, better late than never. Now, it seems the biggest concern has been put to rest.