Dallas Wings stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have spoken publicly for the first time about the origins of their romantic relationship during their time as teammates at the University of Connecticut. Their candor comes in a trailer for Apple TV+'s new three-part docuseries, "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies," set to premiere on August 21.
In the trailer, Bueckers, 24, and Fudd, 23, discuss their connection, describing a "spark" that felt distinct from a typical friendship. Bueckers noted that Fudd joined the team during Bueckers' sophomore year, and their rapport was immediate. "She’s sweet, she’s genuine, she has a huge, caring heart," Bueckers said of Fudd. "We kind of felt a spark a little bit different than what would just be considered a normal friendship." Bueckers also shared that Fudd was a source of support, being someone she could confide in and who understood the pressures of the season.
Fudd characterized their personal relationship as "private," acknowledging that their close circle was aware of it. "Paige and I are a couple, and everyone close to us that was important knew, but it was kind of one of those things, it’s just, it’s private. Not a secret, but it’s private," she stated.
Bueckers and Fudd were instrumental in the UConn Huskies' 2025 NCAA women's basketball national championship win. The Wings later selected Bueckers as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, with Fudd also being drafted.
The docuseries, which chronicles the UConn women's basketball team under head coach Geno Auriemma, included interviews filmed in the summer of 2025. The series also touches on team dynamics, with Fudd recalling tension between Bueckers and Auriemma in the third episode. "When things weren’t going right, it was usually all Paige’s fault," Fudd said. "She said to me, ‘I came back for my fifth year because I thought we were gonna have things figured out and it was gonna be fun.'"
Auriemma reflected on Bueckers' role as a team leader, stating that while her physical capabilities were never in question, her mental approach was key. "Part of the issue was that she had this incredible sense of loyalty. She loved her teammates. It’s all great, but at the same time, if you’re loyal, that doesn’t preclude you from also being hard on them and being demanding of them," Auriemma said.
Bueckers and Fudd were reunited professionally when the Dallas Wings drafted Fudd with the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. In a press conference following the draft, Bueckers addressed their relationship, stating, "Quite frankly, I believe me and Azzi’s personal relationship is nobody’s business but our own, and what we choose to share is completely up to us." She emphasized their professionalism, adding, "Me and Azzi have always been the most professional; we’ve always conducted ourselves as such and we’ve never let anything that happens off the court carry onto the court—And that’s what we’ll continue to do."
More recently, the Wings announced that Fudd will miss the remainder of the season to undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. She averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks in over 30 games this season. Fudd also made history as the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend in July.