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Azzi Fudd Proudly Confirms Paige Bueckers Romance With Sweetest Accessory

The former UConn basketball teammates have officially hard launched.

Ananya Panchal

Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers
Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers / The Hapa Blonde/Getty Images

Azzi Fudd’s latest mirror selfie did all the talking.

The former UConn basketball star shared a snap from a glam chair to her Instagram story over the weekend—but fans immediately zeroed in on one standout detail. Her phone featured a pristine white case, boldly labeled with “Paige Bueckers’ girlfriend” in hot pink lettering, front and center.

The selfie set social media ablaze, especially among fans who have speculated about the nature of Fudd, 22, and Bueckers’s relationship for years. Though neither athlete has ever publicly confirmed their romance, this playful yet pointed nod to their connection seemed to be the not-so-soft launch everyone was waiting for.

The viral moment gained more traction when Overtime WBB reposted a screenshot of the selfie, writing “*pretends to be shocked*” and following up with “I’m not messy I’m simply a reporter this is journalism” in a comment.

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd / UConn Athletics/Getty Images

“she said yall are not calling me her former teammate anymore 😭,” one fan wrote under the post.

“I love Azzi in her WAG era 😍😍😍😂😂😂,” another added.

“PAIGE IS FINALLY WINNING ON AND OFF COURT 😭❤️,” someone else gushed.

“It’s an official hard launch I repeat it’s an official HARD LAUNCH,” one user chimed.

“Ok on 3 everybody act shocked, 3..2..1,” another fan joked.

Fans have long speculated that the two were more than just best friends and former teammates. The 23-year-old WNBA rookie who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and joined the Dallas Wings made her official league debut in May.

Bueckers, a Minnesota native, and Fudd, from Virginia, shared a close bond throughout their time at UConn, where they both won the NCAA championship in April, and frequently appeared together in major brand campaigns for Madison Reed, Oreo and Bose.

The duo first met in 2017 at a USA Basketball tryout, where Fudd initially underestimated her future teammate. “I was like, ‘Oh, I have nothing to worry about this girl,’” she recalled, before realizing Bueckers was “one of the best players I’ve ever seen play.”

Bueckers committed to UConn in April 2019 and famously recruited Fudd—one year younger—with a custom highlight reel of her assists. Fudd ultimately signed in November 2020. “We both hate losing but I think we both hate losing to each other more than anything,” Bueckers said of their competitive but supportive friendship on and off the court. “We’re just here to make each other better and give each other opportunities.”

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a NYC-based Lifestyle & Trending News writer at SI Swimsuit. Before joining the Swim team, the Boston University Alum worked for culture & entertainment beats at Bustle, The San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When Ananya is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, she can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. 

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