Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers was cheesing when Azzi Fudd’s name was called as the first overall pick by the Wings in the 2026 WNBA draft on Monday night.
The pair went public with their relationship last year after they won national championship while teammates at UConn, defeating South Carolina 82-59 in the title game — with Fudd being named the 2025 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
Bueckers, the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year, stood up and flashed a big smile while clapping for Fudd, as seen on the ESPN broadcast.
The pair posed for photos together, while Bueckers held Fudd’s Dallas jersey, on the Orange Carpet at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
Bueckers and Fudd did not make their relationship public while playing for the Huskies.
Bueckers confirmed their relationship during the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend, referring to Fudd as her “D1 girlfriend” in a July interview with WAG Talk.
It came after Fudd was seen carrying a phone case that read “Paige Bueckers’ Girlfriend.”
“I’m so excited to play again with Paige,” Fudd told ESPN after of reuniting with Bueckers in the pros.
“She’s an incredible person, an incredible player and it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
Their Huskies teammate, Kiki Rice, went sixth to the Toronto Tempo, the first pick for the expansion team.
Some of Fudd’s UConn teammates, Sarah Strong and KK Arnold, attended the draft.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma was not in attendance as it was announced he was attending a celebration of life.