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Cosmopolitan
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd's Relationship Timeline
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd just proved that shooting your shot is, indeed, worth it. In case you somehow missed all the signs, the former UConn basketball teammates confirmed their friendship turned into something more with some subtle social media posts—and we couldn't be more obsessed. The WNBA stars are the true embodiment of the best friends-to-lovers trope we all know and love. They met as teens when they were both trying out for point guard on the USA Basketball U16 team, and over the years, their chemistry has gone from courtside to heart-eyes. Can't get enough of these two? Same. That's why we've put together Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd's full relationship timeline for your scrolling pleasure. According to The UConn Blog, Paige and Azzi first met when they were teenagers trying out for a USA Basketball team at summer camp. At the time, Azzi described Paige as 'this skinny little white girl' on the court. 'I watched her play and I was like, 'Oh, I have nothing to worry about this girl,'' Azzi said. 'Like, 'I have a better chance of making it than her.'' After some friendly competition at USA Basketball, the pair formed a bond, and Paige reportedly started visiting Azzi in Washington D.C. to work out together. While Paige had already secured a spot on the UConn women's basketball team, she supported Azzi and started a social campaign to get her on the team, too. Okay, P.B., we see you. All of Paige's work recruiting Azzi worked, because she committed to UConn in November 2020. Shortly after, rumors that they lived together during the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced, thanks to a TikTok of the pair bickering about getting sick. Azzi and Paige are officially teammates! Paige shared a sweet sentiment about their dynamic on and off the court with The UConn Blog in 2021. 'I think we both hate losing but I think we both hate losing to each other more than anything. So we both want to win, we both want to make each other better,' Paige said. 'I think that works on and off the court as well. I think we're just here to make each other better and give each other opportunities and it'll be fun to go at it in practice but once we get on the same court together and go against other teams, I think that'll be good.' Consider this Azzi and Paige's social-active era. The pair is constantly posting content with each other across their Instagram and TikTok accounts, including that time they met Steph Curry: That summer, Azzi shared a Paige appreciation post, too: The pair pulled up to New York Fashion Week, sitting front row for the WhoDecidesWar fashion show. They also posed for some adorable snaps during a UConn press day. We leave you with this cuteness... Paige graced the cover of GQ Hype, and Azzi reflected on when they first met and how Paige supported her committing to UConn. 'This is so on brand for Paige, but she made a little highlight video of herself from her high school games, passing to her teammates and giving them wide-open shots,' Azzi said. 'She presented it to my family and was like, 'You see all these open shots I'm giving to my teammates? That's going to be Azzi [if] she comes to UConn and plays with me.' ' During March Madness—and some of their final moments together as UConn Huskies—Paige and Azzi played a hilarious game of the whisper challenge, which was posted on their socials. On April 14, Paige was selected as the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings. Of course, her fellow UConn Husky Azzi was there to support her along the way: Two days later, Paige spoke to Robin Roberts at Good Morning America about the draft and her uber-impressive basketball career so far. Azzi pulled up to the NYC-based studio with her, where they were photographed outside. On June 18, Paige dropped 35 points and secured a win during a basketball game—which just so happens to be Azzi's UConn jersey number—hours after wearing a tee with her face on it. A few days later on June 21, Azzi sneakily soft-launched her relationship with Paige when she posted a mirror selfie with a phone case that read 'Paige Bueckers' Girlfriend.' She also wore her jersey during the Dallas Wings game that day, and they allegedly wore rings featuring each other's birthstones. Cute! A fan caught footage of the duo holding hands after Paige competed in a Dallas Wings vs. Phoenix Mercury game... ...while another asked the athlete for an autograph on a sign that read 'Azzi Fudd's girlfriend, sign here.' Spoiler alert: Paige fully dropped her signature, subtly confirming her relationship status. Then, ahead of WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Paige correctly answered a series of questions about her 'D1 Girlfriend' in a game with Wag Talk, including the name of the high school she went to, the year she was named Gatorade Player of the Year, her ranking in the class of 2021, and the basketball player she was named after. Paige was also cheekily asked what Azzi's phone case says, and when she was later asked to reveal the name of her 'D1 Girlfriend,' she confirmed the romance rumors by simply saying, 'Azzi Fudd.' Help, we can't stop smiling! Ofc, Azzi supported Paige as she helped guide Team Napheesa Collier to a 151–131 win over Team Caitlin Clark in according to this cute clip from ESPN, the pair looked fab as ever. Finally, on July 17, Paige dropped this gem in an IG dump, clearing up any remaining doubt about her relationship status. That's all for now on these two! We'll dribble some more details in here as soon as they come.


Pink Villa
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Are Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd dating? All you need to know about couple who just made it official
They met as teens at a USA Basketball camp, became college teammates at UConn, and now they have confirmed what fans have suspected for years: Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are officially dating. The announcement came during a WNBA All-Star event in Indianapolis on July 17, when Bueckers proudly named Fudd as her 'D1 girlfriend.' For fans, it was the confirmation of a slow-build love story that's been taking place in plain sight, whether they were on the court or the grass. 'It's Azzi Fudd': Bueckers confirms long-rumored romance The reveal happened during a WAG Talk segment, where Bueckers was quizzed on how well she knows her girlfriend. She nailed every question—Fudd's high school, her awards, even the message on her phone case. The case in question was shown in a viral selfie weeks earlier, and read: 'Paige Bueckers' Girlfriend.' The hint was hard to ignore. But now, it's no longer just a hint. When prompted for a name, Bueckers answered clearly: 'Azzi Fudd.' Fans celebrated in the TikTok's comment section, noting the lengthy journey from rumor to reality, saying they 'prayed for times like this' and that the duo had 'come a long way.' A few even pointed out that Bueckers, while talking about Fudd, 'was smiling so hard the whole time.' A public relationship built on private history Bueckers and Fudd go way back—before the viral selfies and All-Star carpets. They were friends and teammates at UConn, where Bueckers reportedly played a key role in recruiting Fudd to the program. Their connection deepened through championship runs, rehab sessions, and constant support. When they're not on the hardwood, the two have been spotted arm in arm at Dallas Wings games, FaceTiming in cowboy fits, and rocking matching 'A' and 'P' necklaces. Fudd, still at UConn for her final collegiate season, continues to share clips of their life together—playful TikToks, sideline cuddles, and mid-season visits. Now that the romance is official, fans will be cheering the couple on for more than one reason: on-court wins and off-court representation.


USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Hall of Famer Grant Hill reveals advice for No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg
Grant Hill believes Cooper Flagg landed in a good situation with the Dallas Mavericks, and the Hall of Famer is eager to watch the No. 1 pick begin his career in the NBA. Hill, as the managing director of USA Basketball, had the opportunity to watch Flagg firsthand last year when the program brought him in to scrimmage with the select team ahead of the Paris Olympics. He was the first collegian to participate with the select team since 2013. Flagg jumped to the collegiate level with additional hype following that appearance with USA Basketball. He lived up to those lofty expectations and handled himself like a professional at just 18 years old, which Hill commended Thursday on the "Dan Patrick Show." Cooper has handled the pressure so well. Last summer, we brought him in. I was a little worried that it might be too much for him ... and Day 2, he was one of the best players on the court and had no fear. He was going at these guys. ... Just go out there, compete and have fun. The weight of the world is on your shoulders. You got a great coach in Jason (Kidd) who I think will utilize him, put the ball in his hands, take advantage of his versatility. I'm excited to see what he can do. I think he is in a great spot and has got a chance to be on a winning team his first year, which is important for a rookie. Flagg was the AP national college player of the year after leading Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be a consensus first-team All-American. The Maine native is viewed as a generational prospect thanks to his size, athleticism and ability to impact games on both ends of the court. He is also highly regarded for his ability to process plays in real-time and his decision-making with the ball in his hands. Flagg has drawn some comparisons to Hill, along with other current players, due to their similar skill sets on the court. The organization is excited to see him take the court next season and will be hopeful that he can live up to those expectations as the top pick.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Draft: Why 18-year-old Cooper Flagg is ready to lead the Dallas Mavericks
Three summers ago, Cooper Flagg took on his biggest challenge yet. The 15-year-old from small-town Maine traveled to USA Basketball headquarters in Colorado Springs to compete against older, more heralded prospects for a spot on the U17 national team. Whereas many other players at the tryout hunted their own shots in an effort to stand out from their peers, Flagg refused to succumb to the temptation to hoist contested jumpers or step-back 3s. He showcased his talents in other ways, as a willing passer, instinctive cutter, versatile defender, dogged rebounder and supportive teammate. Advertisement Forty-six prospects were invited to USA Basketball's junior national team minicamp that year. Thirty-four earned the opportunity to try out for the team that would vie for gold at the FIBA U17 World Cup. Flagg not only made the 12-man roster, he also posted an absurd 10 points, 17 rebounds, 8 steals, 4 blocks and 2 assists in a gold-medal game victory over talented Spain. 'It was incredible to be there firsthand and see him win over NBA scouts and USA Basketball people session by session,' Andy Bedard, Flagg's AAU coach since he was 10 years old, told Yahoo Sports. 'There were six or seven sessions before they made the cut. I thought he was the best player on the floor in five or six of those sessions. He was the most mature one out there and he was the only one without a driver's license.' (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration) Stories like that exemplify why those in Flagg's circle are convinced he's ready for the unusual burden that comes with the Dallas Mavericks selecting him No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft. Instead of joining a bottom-tier franchise that can afford to develop young players slowly, Flagg goes to a veteran team built to win right away, one that's counting on him as a savior after trading away Luka Dončić last February in a stunning blockbuster. He makes his summer league debut on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas. Advertisement Filling Dončić's size 16 Nikes is a lot to ask of the NBA's youngest No. 1 overall pick in 22 years, a teen phenom who won't turn 19 until December. And yet Flagg has consistently made the improbable look easy throughout his comet-like rise from the obscurity of central Maine to the national spotlight. At 16, he turned down offers to play for powerhouse AAU programs and guided a group of his childhood friends from Maine to the Nike Peach Jam title game. At 17, he earned the respect of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and the rest of the U.S. Olympic team with an impressive showing during a scrimmage in Las Vegas. At 18, he exceeded impossibly high expectations for his lone college season, leading Duke to the Final Four and capturing all but one of the major national player of the year awards. 'Cooper is just wired different,' his longtime trainer, Matt Mackenzie, told Yahoo Sports. 'He thrives in situations where he has pressure, where there are expectations placed upon him, where he has to prove that he is who people think he is. For him to be drafted No. 1, I can't think of anyone more deserving, but I also can't think of anyone more fit to handle it.' Advertisement It's no surprise to anyone who watches basketball that Flagg was the first player selected on Wednesday night. That has been the inevitable outcome since long before he donned a Duke jersey and led the Blue Devils in every major statistical category. As recently as a few months ago, few would have guessed Flagg would have been wearing a Dallas Mavericks cap as he strutted across the Barclays Center stage. Dončić led the Mavs to the 2024 NBA Finals. They were expected to contend again this past season before the Slovenian sensation missed time with lingering injuries and fell out of favor with general manager Nico Harrison. Flagg and his Duke teammates were hanging after a home win over rival North Carolina in early February when freshman guard Darren Harris checked social media and recoiled in disbelief. The Mavericks had just traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, Harris informed the rest of the Blue Devils. 'We just all started going crazy,' Flagg told reporters on Tuesday. 'It was such a shock to hear that.' Little did Flagg know at the time that the stunning trade would help determine his NBA future. The Mavericks slipped from eighth place in the Western Conference when they traded Dončić to 10th when the regular season ended. A loss in the play-in tournament cemented their place in the draft lottery. Then they overcame long odds to secure the No. 1 pick. Advertisement The decision to ship out an immensely popular perennial All-NBA candidate instantly turned Harrison into a target for backlash and vitriol. 'Fire Nico!' chants from frustrated fans were a staple of Mavericks games the rest of the season. In Dončić's first game back in Dallas, he scored 45 points and received thunderous ovations from the American Airlines Center crowd. When asked about the possibility of going to Dallas and having to try to match the standard Dončić set, Flagg insisted he doesn't see it that way. 'Some people would say it's pressure following Luka,' Flagg said. 'I wouldn't look at anything as pressure. I think whatever situation I go into, I'm just going to try and be myself all the time and push myself to be better and better every day.' That approach certainly has worked for Flagg so far. Advertisement Over his final 25 games at Duke, Flagg averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks while shooting 45.1% from behind the 3-point arc. He entered the NBA Draft as one of the most highly touted prospects of his era, surpassed only by Victor Wembanyama and perhaps Zion Williamson. One of the few blemishes on Flagg's resume is the painful way his lone season at Duke ended. The Blue Devils lost to Houston in the national semifinals after coughing up leads of 59-45 with 8:17 left, 64-55 with 3:03 left and 67-61 with less than a minute to go. Flagg had one chance to flip the narrative, one chance to salvage Duke's flickering title hopes in the final seconds. The short pull-up jumper that Flagg attempted is one that he has hit dozens of times. That time, he left it short. Advertisement To Mackenzie, the takeaway from that agonizing sequence is not the miss but rather Flagg's mentality. 'He certainly wishes he could replay it, but he also knows it's part of the journey,' Mackenzie said. 'He's never going to shy away from the big moment just because they don't all work out in his favor. He wants to play in those big games. He wants the ball in his hands. He understands that being a player of his caliber comes with a lot of responsibility.' There's a burden associated with being anointed basketball's next rising star. At just 18 years old, Flagg is ready to embrace it.


New York Post
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
The ‘farewell present' that played a part in Caitlin Clark's Olympic snub
Caitlin Clark being snubbed from the Olympics last summer remains one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory, and a new detail in USA Today columnist Christine Brennan's new book 'On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports' will only further that controversy. The women's basketball phenom was already facing an uphill battle to make the U.S. women's basketball team heading to Paris for the Summer Olympics, which included the fact that despite there being 12 roster spots available, one had already been promised to Diana Taurasi. Brennan's book reported that the roster spot and a chance for an Olympic basketball-record sixth gold medal was Taurasi's 'farewell present by USA Basketball.' 3 Caitlin Clark's snubbing from the Olympics last summer remains one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory. Getty Images 'This meant 11 spots, not 12, were open and available. Taurasi was a lock unless she was totally injured and couldn't play. And, frankly, she would be going even if she was a little injured and could only play sparingly,' Brennan wrote in the book. Taruasi, who was 42 during the Games, was moved to the bench for Jackie Young for the team's quarterfinals game. She did not play at all in Team USA's 67-66 win over France in the gold medal game. Clark had been averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game through her first 16 games of her rookie WNBA season when she was passed over for a spot on the Olympic roster. The decision not to include her created a stir of controversy and added to calls from fans and pundits that the old guard of women's basketball was jealous of the attention Clark had been getting. 3 Christine Brennan wrote a biography of Caitlin Clark. AP The book further claimed that the USA Basketball Women's National Team Committee had been concerned that Clark fans would react negatively if she received limited playing time during the Olympics. Brennan wrote that US women's basketball was 'concerned about critical posts on X and Facebook and the like' and that 'they didn't want to deal' with people's reactions over Clark's playing time. Selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti cited the group's 'basketball criteria for why Clark did not make the squad. 'Here's the basketball criteria that we were given as a committee and how do we evaluate our players based on that?' Rizzotti told the AP at the time. 'And when you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes. Then sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for [coach Cheryl Reeve] and then sometimes a vote.' Clark was offered a spot on the 3×3 national team by USA Basketball, but he turned down the spot. 3 Diana Taurasi Getty Images The United States did win gold in Paris behind the efforts of A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper.