If you’ve spent any time on "WNBA TikTok" or scrolled through the "Pazzi" hashtags over the last year, you know the vibes. Fans have been obsessing over every frame of footage involving Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. Honestly, it’s been a whirlwind. For the longest time, the narrative was just about two best friends who dominated the court at UConn. Then, the internet did what the internet does—it started looking for clues.
And they found them.
The speculation reached a fever pitch in mid-2025. It wasn't just about the way they looked at each other or the constant presence of Azzi at Paige’s Dallas Wings games. It was the phone case. You probably saw the photo: Azzi Fudd casually snapping a mirror selfie with a phone case that literally said, "Paige Bueckers' Girlfriend." It wasn't a "soft launch" anymore. It was a statement.
The July 2025 "Hard Launch" Explained
Basically, the mystery ended in July 2025. During an interview with WAG Talk at the WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis, Paige was put on the spot. The interviewer asked her a series of questions about her "D1 girlfriend." Paige didn't dodge. She didn't give a vague answer about "focusing on the season."
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She smiled, answered the questions about Azzi’s family and career with perfect accuracy, and finally confirmed the name everyone wanted to hear. When asked for the "girlfriend reveal," Paige simply said, "Azzi Fudd." Since then, the two have been much more open. We’ve seen the matching "A" and "P" necklaces. We’ve seen them holding hands at games. Even WNBA legend Sue Bird chimed in on her podcast A Touch More, joking that the "soft launch" had been going on for years and it was about time they made it official.
Why the Timeline Matters
To understand why this is such a big deal for fans, you have to look at how long they’ve been in each other's orbits.
- 2017: They first met at a USA Basketball U16 trial. Azzi originally thought she’d smoke the "skinny girl from Minnesota," but they clicked on the court immediately.
- 2019: Paige starts a public #GetAzziToUConn campaign. She even showed up at Azzi’s house with a highlight reel of her own passes to prove how many open shots Azzi would get if she committed.
- 2021-2024: They navigated the "yin and yang" of college life together, supporting each other through major injuries (Paige’s ACL/meniscus and Azzi’s knee struggles).
- 2025: They won a National Championship together at UConn before Paige went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings.
Are There Breakup Rumors in 2026?
Because this is a high-profile relationship, the "breakup" whispers started almost immediately after the honeymoon phase of the announcement. In late 2025, fans on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) started panicking because Azzi didn't post a massive "photo dump" for Paige's birthday.
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People were dissecting Instagram followers and counting how many days it had been since they were seen together. However, looking at the facts, the "breakup" talk seems mostly fueled by distance and schedules. Paige is a WNBA superstar now, winning Rookie of the Year and traveling constantly. Azzi is back at UConn for her final season, chasing another ring and preparing for the 2026 WNBA Draft.
In October 2025, Paige actually visited Storrs for a UConn practice. She posted a photo of herself scoring a layup over Azzi with the caption "layher." It was a classic "Pazzi" interaction—competitive, playful, and very much not the behavior of an estranged couple.
The Professional Stakes
There is a real conversation happening about the 2026 WNBA Draft. Since the Dallas Wings hold a high pick, there is a very real possibility that Paige and Azzi could be teammates again—this time as professionals.
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Some analysts have questioned if having a romantic couple as the two "franchise players" is a risk for team chemistry. But if you've watched them play, you know their connection is their superpower. They’ve been "telepathic" on the court since they were 15. Whether they are "just friends" or "official," that chemistry has never wavered.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this story, keep your eyes on these specific markers rather than TikTok rumors:
- The 2026 WNBA Draft: This is the big one. If Azzi lands in Dallas, the "power couple" narrative will go into overdrive.
- Official Podcasts: Azzi recently launched her own podcast, Fudd Around and Find Out. It’s often the best place to hear her talk about her life in her own words, rather than through filtered PR statements.
- Off-Season Travel: Watch for their "Close Friends" stories or mentions of off-season trips together. They’ve historically spent significant time with each other's families (like the Fudd family cabin trips).
Ultimately, Paige and Azzi have transitioned from being the "Twin Suns" of UConn to a genuine WNBA power couple. They’ve navigated the intense pressure of the spotlight by being authentic—even if it took a few years and a viral phone case to finally say it out loud.
Next Steps:
Keep a close watch on the WNBA Draft lottery results. Where Azzi lands will determine whether this duo continues their journey together on the court in 2026 or if they’ll have to manage a long-distance relationship between two different WNBA cities.