Paige Bueckers doesn't do anything halfway. Whether she’s draining a deep three or handling the absolute circus of fame that follows her every move, she’s always "on." But for a long time, the biggest question following her wasn't about her jump shot or her knee recovery. It was about who she was dating. Specifically, the internet was convinced—absolutely certain—that the Dallas Wings star was more than just "besties" with her former UConn teammate, Azzi Fudd.
People spent years scouring TikTok clips and Instagram stories for clues. It became a whole thing. Honestly, it was a mix of genuine curiosity and the kind of intense fan "shipping" that usually only happens in boy bands. But then, things got real. No more guessing games. No more cryptic emojis.
Is Paige Bueckers Gay? The "Quiet" Hard Launch
If you're looking for the short answer: Yes, Paige Bueckers is gay and is currently in a high-profile relationship with fellow basketball star Azzi Fudd.
For the longest time, the two were the ultimate "best friend" duo. They met back in 2017 at a USA Basketball camp when they were just teenagers. Paige was the skinny kid from Minnesota; Azzi was the phenom from the D.C. area. They clicked instantly. By the time they both ended up at UConn, they were inseparable. But the vibe shifted from "teammates" to "couple" in the eyes of fans around 2024 and early 2025.
The "hard launch" didn't happen with a formal press release or a grainy black-and-white photo with a long caption. It happened because of a phone case. In June 2025, Azzi Fudd posted a mirror selfie where her phone was clearly visible. The back of the case didn't have a cool design or a logo. It literally said: “Paige Bueckers’ Girlfriend.” You can imagine how the internet handled that. It wasn't exactly subtle.
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The All-Star Reveal
The real "official" moment came during the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. Paige was doing an interview with the show WAG Talk. The hosts weren't playing around—they straight-up asked her to play a game called “How well do you know your D1 athlete girlfriend?”
Paige didn't flinch. She nailed every question about Azzi’s high school stats, her family, and even what slogan was on Azzi’s mom’s t-shirt during the national championship game. When the interviewer finally asked for the "girlfriend reveal," Paige just smiled and said, “Azzi Fudd.”
Later, she joked with PEOPLE that she felt "set up" into the reveal, but she didn't take it back. She basically said that while they hadn't planned a big "coming out" moment, everyone already knew, so there was no point in hiding it. It was a classic Paige move: cool, casual, and totally authentic.
Why Everyone Was Obsessed with "Pazzi"
The relationship between Paige and Azzi (dubbed "Pazzi" by the fans) represents a massive shift in how we talk about queer athletes. In the past, coming out was often this heavy, dramatic ordeal. For Paige, it felt... normal.
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- The UConn Connection: They won a National Championship together in 2025 before Paige went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings.
- The Support System: When Azzi tore her ACL in 2019, Paige was the one praying over her on the court. When Paige was out with her own injuries, Azzi was the loudest person in her corner.
- The Fashion: They’ve become a bit of a style powerhouse, sitting front-row at New York Fashion Week and rocking matching "A" and "P" necklaces.
It’s kind of wild to see how much the landscape has changed. Ten years ago, a top draft pick might have been advised to keep her private life private to "protect her brand." In 2026, Paige is bagging deals with Nike, Gatorade, and Bose while being completely open about who she loves. If anything, her authenticity has made her more marketable.
Navigating the Spotlight in 2026
Life isn't just rainbows and court-side seats, though. Since Paige moved on to the WNBA and Azzi stayed for her final year at UConn, they've had to navigate a long-distance relationship under a microscope.
There were actually some breakup rumors floating around in late 2025. Fans noticed that Azzi didn't post a big birthday tribute for Paige in October, and some people thought they were "acting weird" on social media. But those rumors usually crop up whenever a famous couple doesn't post a selfie for three days. As of early 2026, they are still very much a pair, often spotted supporting each other at games whenever their schedules allow.
A New Kind of Role Model
Paige has always used her platform for more than just highlights. Remember her 2021 ESPYS speech? She used her moment of glory to call out the lack of media coverage for Black women in sports. She’s consistently shown that she understands the power of her voice.
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By being open about being gay, she’s doing the same thing for the LGBTQ+ community. She isn't making it her entire personality, but she isn't hiding it in the shadows either. It’s "quietly coming out"—living your life out loud without feeling the need to explain yourself to people who don't get it.
What This Means for Fans
If you've been following Paige since her high school mixtapes, her relationship status doesn't change the fact that she’s a generational talent. But for a lot of younger fans, seeing the face of the WNBA be unapologetically herself matters.
Here is the bottom line on what we know:
- Status: Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd confirmed they were dating in July 2025.
- Identity: While she hasn't spent much time on labels in long-form interviews, she is openly part of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Future: Expect to see them continue to dominate their respective levels of the game while being one of the most influential couples in sports.
If you want to keep up with the latest, the best place is honestly her TikTok. She’s one of the few superstars who still runs her own social media, and that’s where the most "real" moments usually happen. Just don't be surprised if the next "hard launch" is something as simple as a matching pair of sneakers or another viral phone case.
Keep an eye on the 2026 WNBA season. With Paige entering her second year and Azzi likely heading toward the draft, the "Pazzi" era is only getting started.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the games: Watch how their on-court chemistry translates to the professional level once Azzi enters the league.
- Support the foundations: Check out the Paige Bueckers Foundation, which focuses on food insecurity and social justice—causes she’s championed alongside her personal growth.
- Ignore the "stirs": Social media likes and "unfollows" are rarely the full story; wait for direct confirmation before believing the latest breakup thread on X or Reddit.