With Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, we get to choose how we react

Nov 14, 2021; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) on the court against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at XL Center.

Dec 21, 2022; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) on the court as their teammates warm up before the start of the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at XL Center.

Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center.

Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center.

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) speak during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) speak to the media after the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena.

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate during the first half the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena.

Apr 13, 2025; Hartford, CT, USA; UConn student-athlete Paige Bueckers and UConn student-athlete Azzi Fudd walk onto the stage during the Final Four Champions victory parade and rally outside of the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 19: (L-R) Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies and Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings react following the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Nov 14, 2021; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) on the court against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at XL Center.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Nov 14, 2021; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) on the court against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at XL Center.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Dec 21, 2022; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) on the court as their teammates warm up before the start of the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at XL Center.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) speak during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) speak to the media after the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate during the first half the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

Apr 13, 2025; Hartford, CT, USA; UConn student-athlete Paige Bueckers and UConn student-athlete Azzi Fudd walk onto the stage during the Final Four Champions victory parade and rally outside of the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

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9 sweet photos of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the years

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 19: (L-R) Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies and Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings react following the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

But, people are going to ask. The Wings' press team rebuffed a relationship question about Bueckers and Fudd. It's not uncommon for WNBA players to date while playing on the same team. The Wings had a couple last season with DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith, even if for a brief time. The Phoenix Mercury have an engaged couple in Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, who have played together for years. The New York Liberty rostered Natasha Cloud and Isabelle Harrison last year.

Curiosity about Bueckers and Fudd is baked into the conversation about women's sports, just as it is with anyone in the public eye. When they're star athletes on the same team? That interest compounds, especially if there's ever visible friction or a slump in play.

Fans owe Bueckers and Fudd a healthy level of respect for their privacy. The Wings owe it to Bueckers and Fudd to protect them, but also may eventually owe fans clarity if an off-court relationship ever impacts the team on the court.

Bueckers and Fudd will probably get asked more questions about their relationship beyond Thursday, whether it's at training camp or down the road. Reporters asking empathic questions and the Wings giving them "no comment" is more than fine.

But what we should be focused on is Fudd's dominant streak at UConn, where she turned into one of the best offensive engines in the country, and how Bueckers will instantly fit in with her former backcourt mate. We can start wondering if the Wings missed out on center Awa Fam Thiam — the Storm earned an "A" from me on draft night for the selection — by picking Fudd. The Wings will benefit from Fudd's 3-point abilities and her excellent off-ball game, and maybe the next step is eventually finding a truly elite post presence to amplify Bueckers' game.

For the good of Bueckers, Fudd, the Wings and the general discourse about the WNBA, let's keep the conversation to basketball first. The rest? Let's continue to exercise empathy and professionalism.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd questions are fair, but focus on basketball