Azzi Fudd didn’t hesitate when asked about reuniting with Paige Bueckers.
Moments after being selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Fudd made it clear what the opportunity meant to her.
“Oh, for sure. I’m excited to play again with Paige,” Fudd told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “I mean, she’s an incredible person, incredible player, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The selection reunites one of the most decorated duos in recent college basketball history, bringing Fudd and Bueckers back together after their successful run at UConn.
Fudd, Bueckers Reunite After UConn Success
Fudd and Bueckers spent four seasons together with the UConn Huskies, where they helped lead the program to multiple Final Four appearances and capped their partnership with a national championship in 2025.
While injuries limited their time sharing the court — including a torn meniscus that sidelined Bueckers for the 2022-23 season — the duo still developed a strong on-court chemistry when healthy.
GettyAzzi Fudd (right) is reunited with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers (left) on the Dallas Wings.
In games they played together, Bueckers averaged 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists, while Fudd contributed 13.3 points per game and emerged as one of the nation’s elite perimeter shooters.
Their connection extended beyond the stat sheet, built over years dating back to their time with USA Basketball as teenagers.
Dallas Wings Address Key Need With Fudd
The Wings’ decision to draft Fudd was not just about familiarity — it was also about fit.
Dallas finished near the bottom of the WNBA last season in shooting efficiency, ranking among the league’s lowest teams in both field goal percentage and 3-point shooting.
Fudd brings an immediate solution.
Over her collegiate career, she shot 46.9% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range, establishing herself as one of the most efficient scorers in the country. She is coming off a career-best season, averaging 17.3 points while shooting 48.1% overall and 44.7% from beyond the arc.
Her addition is expected to complement Bueckers, who led Dallas in scoring last season at 19.2 points per game.
Historic Payday Highlights New CBA Impact
Fudd’s selection also underscores the financial impact of the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.
As the No. 1 overall pick, she is set to earn approximately $500,000 — a significant increase compared to previous rookie contracts and nearly seven times what Bueckers earned as the top pick just one year earlier.
The deal reflects a broader shift in the league’s economics as it continues to grow in visibility and investment.
Wings Building Around Young Core
GettyPaige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings (R) poses with Azzi Fudd of the UConn Huskies following the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
Dallas is positioning itself for a turnaround after finishing with one of the league’s worst records last season.
The Wings have retained star guard Arike Ogunbowale and added frontcourt pieces such as Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith, last season’s co-Defensive Player of the Year, while also making additional roster moves through trades.
With Fudd and Bueckers now paired in the backcourt, the franchise has established a young, dynamic foundation built around scoring, playmaking and perimeter shooting.
The reunion also brings added intrigue, as the two former UConn stars have long shared a close bond off the court, further strengthening the chemistry they bring into the professional ranks.
What Comes Next
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the duo back on the court together.
The Wings are scheduled to open preseason play on April 30 against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, followed by a regular-season opener on May 9 — also against Indiana.
For Fudd, the transition to the WNBA comes with both opportunity and familiarity.
And if her initial reaction is any indication, the chance to reunite with Bueckers is one she fully embraces.
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