Azzi Fudd admits she’s not sure how she’ll handle facing Paige Bueckers on the court, saying, “There’s no stopping her.”
In the latest episode of Instagram’s Close Friends Only podcast, released August 14, the basketball duo—affectionately dubbed “Pazzi”—talked about their favorite WNBA players, Fudd’s habit of borrowing from Bueckers’ wardrobe, and the easy chemistry they share. Bueckers described how they “adjust to each other’s compliments,” which Fudd explained means balancing their personalities: “She’s more outgoing, I’m quieter. She’s feisty, I’m calm. It’s not always natural, but we adapt to what the other needs in the moment.”
The pair’s bond stretches back to 2017, when they met at tryouts for the USA Women’s U-16 National Team, winning gold together before reuniting at UConn. There, they powered their team to a 2024 National Championship. Now, for the first time in four years, they’re on separate paths—Bueckers is in her rookie WNBA season with the Dallas Wings and set to join the Unrivaled 3×3 league in January, while Fudd is finishing her master’s degree at UConn and hosting her new podcast, Fudd Around and Find Out.
Despite playing in different leagues, their connection remains strong—Fudd has attended multiple Wings games this summer, and the two publicly confirmed their relationship during the WNBA All-Star Game in July. Speaking to Glamour, Fudd discussed fan reactions, the boundaries of what should stay private, and the potential thrill (and challenge) of competing against Bueckers in the pros.
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