A question about No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd’s relationship with Dallas Wings teammate Paige Bueckers was awkwardly shut down on Thursday.
Fudd was selected by the Dallas Wings with the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday night.
The selection reunited the 23-year-old with girlfriend Bueckers, who was also selected by the Wings with last year’s overall pick. The duo played three years together in Storrs, Connecticut, winning a national championship with UConn.
While the couple sparked romance rumors last year, they have kept their personal lives out of the spotlight, keeping details of their romance largely under wraps.
And it appears they intend to keep it that way. Despite now being teammates again, Fudd was prevented from discussing her relationship with Bueckers.
During her introductory press conference on Thursday, Fudd was asked about their romance. However, before she could answer, a member of the Wings PR team shut the question down.
A question about No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd’s relationship with Paige Bueckers was shut down
The duo, who went public with their relationship last year, have been reunited in Dallas
‘Paige announced last year on TikTok that y’all were a couple, and I’m wondering if that’s still the case, and if so, if y’all have talked to any other couples in the league about how they negotiate that dynamic as pro teammates?’ the reporter asked.
The member of staff said that they understood why the question was asked but that they would have Fudd decline to answer, according to USA Today’s Meghan Hall.
Many social media users slammed the censorial move, including former football wide receiver Dez Bryant.
‘Hey hey hey… that’s part of the game…From the test of time, nothing has been off limits,’ he wrote. ‘That reporter had the right to ask that question. If they are dating..they are dating what’s the problem?
‘Women wanting to be paid millions of dollars comes with it all. When hasn’t the media been in an athlete’s personal business?’
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy agreed, insisting that the reporter had a right to ask the question.
‘This is a totally fair question,’ he posted on X. ‘Sure it’s unusual but they are very public on social media. They are teammates. They don’t keep their relationship private. I have no problem with them not answering it but I have no problem asking it. It’s fair game. I also don’t think they care.’
While Fudd was widely considered a contender for the No. 1 pick this year, she was far from a lock-in with UCLA center Lauren Betts also in the mix.
Fudd was selected first overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings on Monday night
Fudd gets reunited with fellow guard and former UConn teammate Bueckers
The Wings’ decision to select Fudd has since come under scrutiny with some questioning if her reported relationship with Bueckers was a factor.
However, former Sports Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman has called out the lack of reporting on the relationship, suggesting that WNBA has forbidden the media from discussing 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 in a recent TikTok.
‘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.’
He added: ‘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.
‘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.’
Bueckers and Fudd have been linked as a romantic couple since last summer
Bueckers was in the crowd to cheer on Fudd for her big moment as she went No. 1 overall on Monday night.
Speaking to Holly Rowe immediately after her selection to Dallas, Fudd did mention her excitement to play with Bueckers again.
‘I’m excited to play again with Paige, I mean she’s an incredible person, incredible player, it’s gonna be a lot of fun,’ Fudd said.
Last season, Fudd averaged 14.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists as she was looked to as the leader of the Huskies throughout the season.
