I think I can speak for all University of Connecticut students when I say that we take immense pride in our women’s basketball team. They are campus celebrities, with everyone always wanting a picture and following the stats each season. So, for all UConn students, this past Monday was filled with excitement as Azzi Fudd and Serah Williams attended the WNBA draft, ending their collegiate careers and starting their professional ones. This year’s draft especially had people on edge more than ever, as it was uncertain who would be the first draft pick due to the immense talent being drafted this year: Fudd (obviously), TCU’s Olivia Miles, Spain’s Awa Fam, and UCLA’s Lauren Betts. So, everyone was watching anxiously and biting their nails, wondering: who would get first pick?
Then, the draft started, and basketball’s princess got first pick! I know I was screaming ecstatically to see Fudd get the first pick and go to the Dallas Wings! This came with so much excitement because of the uncertainty, and it’s such a huge accomplishment for Fudd, displaying how strong a player all UConn students know her to be. However, another really exciting thing for UConn fans is that Fudd and Paige Bueckers will be playing together once again on the Wings.
Fudd and Bueckers go back to high school, when they met at the USA Basketball Camp in 2017, and they continued to face each other at games and tournaments, growing a friendship. Then, Bueckers committed to UConn in 2020, standing out for the accomplishments of the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year, and USBWA Player of the Year as a Freshman. After a standout year, she pushed Fudd to commit to UConn after graduating, resulting in the two finally playing together after being rivals on the court for so long. They truly became a dynamic duo, winning national championships together and being there for each other beyond the court. Just watching them together on the court, fans could see they were able to read each other, boosting their games and showing their strong relationship.
After winning the 2025 national championship, Bueckers finished her chapter at UConn and was the No. 1 draft pick for the Dallas Wings, while Fudd finished out one last year at UConn. They were separated once more, but continued to support one another as Fudd attended Wings games and Bueckers attended the latest Final Four game to see UConn and the University of South Carolina face each other. They also came out publicly with their relationship, no longer trying to hide it but still staying private for their own sakes. So, though the dynamic duo was apart, they were still together a lot and supported one another.
Now they are back together on the court once more, starting training camp together this past week. It truly is rare to have players from the same collegiate team end up on the same professional one, let alone two No. 1 draft picks as well. It’ll be exciting to see these two stellar players work together once more and see Fudd step into her professional career with a familiar face. I know many UConn students, including me, will be tuning in to the Wings’ 2026 season.