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Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are set to join a select group of couples who have played together in the WNBA. The league has a history of romantic relationships among teammates, highlighting the unique dynamics within women's basketball.
How Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers can join short list of couples to play together in WNBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Stevie Wonder said it best: "Love's In Need of Love Today."
The WNBA exemplifies such a motto, playing host to a number of memorable romances across its existence.
While the true number of romantic relationships between teammates may never be known, it is clear that the prospect of teammates dating one another isn't some foreign concept.
Azzi Fudd and Paige Buekers are the latest in a long line of teammates whose ties go deeper than hoop. With that, here's a (not exhaustive) look at teammates who have dated one another at the WNBA level.
MORE:Who is Azzi Fudd's mom, Katie Smrcka‑Duffy Fudd?
Consider this the first family of WNBA couples. Taurasi is arguably the greatest women's basketball player ever, capturing three WNBA titles, two WNBA Finals MVP, 10 All-WNBA First Team appearances and an MVP award in 2009. Taylor was the no slouch, either; the Australian forward was a three-time All-Star and 2007 All-WNBA First Team selection who also captured three titles with Phoenix.
All told, Taylor and Taurasi played 11 seasons alongside one another with the Mercury. They dated for the majority of those years, officially tying the knot in 2017. Taylor and Taurasi have two children together; son Leo Michael and daughter Isla.
From one title-winning couple to another, Quigley and Vandersloot played key roles in the Sky's 2021 triumph. At her peak, Quigley was one of the W's best shooters. She ranks 21st in three-pointers made (510) and first in three-point percentage (39.4%) among players with at least 1,200 triples attempted.
Vandersloot, meanwhile, is one of the WNBA's greatest playmakers. She ranks second all-time in career assists (2,886). The five-time All-WNBA selection is Chicago's all-time leader in games played, points scored and steals, further cementing her status as the franchise's greatest-ever player.
Vandersloot and Quigley spent a decade on the Sky's roster together. They wed one another in Dec. 2018 and had their first child in 2025.
Like the two couples before them, Thomas and Bonner have plenty of pedigree between them. Thomas is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-WNBA First Team selection renowned for her versatility and penchant for triple-doubles. Bonner, meanwhile, is one of the sport's most prolific players, ranking third all-time in points (7.807).
Bonner was previously married to former Mercury teammate Candice Dupree. The couple split in the early 2020s, setting the stage for Bonner to begin dating Thomas -- her then-teammate with the Sun. Bonner married Thomas in 2023. They were briefly separated from one another when Thomas set sail for Phoenix and Bonner joined Indiana ahead of the 2025 season.
Partway through the year, Bonner was waived. She joined Thomas in Phoenix shortly thereafter.
Smtih and Carrington's romance proved one of the WNBA's most enchanting. The Baylor alums became one of the league's hottest items during the 2024 season, with their relationship coming into the crosshairs around the time Carrington was dueling Smith's former Fever teammate, Caitlin Clark.
In 2025, Carrington joined Smith in Dallas. Their romance didn't last much longer, however. By Nov. 2025, Carrington and Smith were through, with Carrington announcing that her relationship with Smith was "permanently" closed.
Cloud and Harrison round out the list of confirmed teammate couples. They enjoyed a brief spell alongside one another with the Liberty in 2025. However, the two were separated in 2026, with Harrison joining the Tempo.
Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are professional basketball players who are currently teammates and are in a romantic relationship.
Couples playing together in the WNBA highlight the personal connections and unique dynamics that can exist among teammates, adding depth to the league's narrative.
While the exact number is unclear, there have been several notable couples who have played together in the WNBA throughout its history.
Romantic relationships among teammates can influence team dynamics, chemistry on the court, and overall morale within the team.
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