Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are not the first active couple in WNBA history to play on the same team. It actually happens a lot.
However, the Dallas Wings want to keep their relationship off of the court.
This expectation of privacy directly contradicts their behavior during the first few games of the WNBA season. They are far too flirty while on the floor to ban reporters from discussing their personal lives.
The Dallas Wings banned any questions about #PAzzi!
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have been dating for a few years now. Those who knew, knew, but they did not go public until last year.
Fudd hard launched their relationship on Instagram by wearing a very specific necklace and using a very specific phone case. They were later spotted holding hands at one of Bueckers’ games in July. #Pazzi was officially confirmed at the WNBA All-Star Game.
The Dallas Wings selected Bueckers and Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft in back-to-back years. They already won a national championship together at UConn. Why not try to replicate that success on the professional level?
Basketball wise, the pick made a lot of sense. Of course, it also makes a lot of sense to pair the reigning Rookie of the Year with her girlfriend.
Although there is a pre-established romantic relationship between them, the Wings immediately banned reporters from asking either athlete about anything other than basketball. It will not be tolerated.
Bueckers made one public statement about her girlfriend at the end of April. She will only address it one time.
The reason for the policy makes sense. Bueckers and Fudd don’t want to deal with the outside noise. This happens fairly often in the WNBA. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a story worth discussing.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd were flirting on the court.
Although Bueckers and Fudd would prefer to keep the conversation focused on basketball, they put themselves in a situation where that is not possible. The pair of No. 1 overall picks were flirting with each other while on the court during a live WNBA game.
That is not just friendly behavior among teammates. Look at the smirk on Fudd’s face after Bueckers taps her back. That’s girlfriend behavior. They’re flirting.
To ban the media from talking about their relationship is one thing. This is not about what they do off of the court. It is about what they do on the court. But therein lies the issue.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are acting like they are in a relationship on the court. It directly contradicts the team ban on media inquires. You can’t have your cake and eat it too!