Azzi Fudd has been selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft and will play for the Dallas Wings alongside her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers. Both players previously starred at the University of Connecticut.
Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers, 2026 WNBA draft on April 13, 2026 at The Shed in New York
Credit: Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty
Azzi Fudd and her girlfriend Paige Bueckers are staying together!
On Monday, April 13, Fudd, a 23-year-old Virginia native and former UConn Huskies star, was selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She will be heading to the Dallas Wings — which just happens to be the same team as Bueckers, 24.
“I’m excited to play again with Paige,” Fudd said while speaking to ESPN after the pick. The couple played at the University of Connecticut, and won a national championship together in 2025.
Cathy Engelbert and Azzi Fudd after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, 2026 WNBA Draft
Credit: David Dow/NBAE via Getty
“She’s an incredible person,” Fudd continued of her girlfriend. “An incredible player, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
The room erupted in cheer as Fudd’s interview played on a large screen inside The Shed at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City. Bueckers, who was seated in the audience, was seen smiling as she watched Fudd gush about their future during her big moment.
PEOPLE also caught up with Fudd at the draft, where she shared the helpful tips she’s gotten from her peers, including Bueckers.
“I feel like the advice has mostly been a combination of, one, soak this whole weekend in,” the athlete tells PEOPLE exclusively. “You know, it only happens once — it's your moment — so really take it all in, try to take notes, try to learn, try to just enjoy the moment. And then going forward, be confident, stay true to yourself, do what got you drafted, and also enjoy that moment as well.”
The pair went public with their relationship in July 2025, the same year the Huskies won the NCAA National Championship.
Fudd and Bueckers have been a star couple from the start. They first met while trying out for the USA Women’s Under-16 National Team in 2017, then both made the team and went on to win gold.
It was also Bueckers who encouraged Fudd to commit to UConn.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd
Credit: Azzi Fudd/Instagram
"Paige is the kind of teammate that everyone wants to play with because she’s so selfless," Fudd told Glamour in August 2025. "The way she plays, she gets everyone involved. She’s also just a great player, so she attracts so much attention that it makes it easier for everyone else to get good looks and opportunities on the court."
During that same interview, Fudd opened up to the outlet about what it would be like if she ever ended up on the same WNBA team as Bueckers, or if they became rivals.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I definitely would love to play with her again; at the same time, I’d love to play against her,” she added. “I think it's kind of a win-win. There’s no bad option.”
Like Fudd, Bueckers was also selected as the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.
Read the original article on People
Azzi Fudd is the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft and will play for the Dallas Wings.
Azzi Fudd joining the Dallas Wings is significant because she will be playing alongside her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers.
Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers went public with their relationship in July 2025.
Both Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers played college basketball for the University of Connecticut.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.
Arshdeep Singh makes history as the first PBKS bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets!
California's top high school football prospects are on the move this weekend.
Viktor Hovland shines with a 64 at RBC Heritage, Gotterup scores 70.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.