Paige Bueckers has once again found herself in the headlines this past week. Just days after her former Huskies teammate Azzi Fudd was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings, Bueckers went viral after posting a series of pictures with a UConn guard that wasn’t Fudd.
As fans pored over the pictures of Bueckers spending time with Nika Muhl, who was acquired by the Portland Fire in this year’s expansion draft, speculations ran wild about the real score on Bueckers and Fudd’s relationship. At a media availability this past weekend, Bueckers finally set the record straight on her photos with Muhl.
“That’s like best friend and my sister. I want her to be a bridesmaid at my wedding. That’s somebody that I love a lot.”
Paige Bueckers also referenced the tribulations that she and Nika Muhl went through as student-athletes at UConn.
“We’ve helped each other a lot of times, dark times when we were fighting injuries and going through stuff.”
Adding to the intrigue of Bueckers’ situation was another viral moment in which Fudd was asked at her introductory press conference to disclose whether she and Bueckers were still a couple. Before Fudd could answer, a member of the Wings’ PR team declined the question on her behalf.
Bueckers’ comments here, particularly the line about wanting Muhl to be her bridesmaid, will certainly be another point of discussion.
Paige Bueckers Reflects on Her Growth in the WNBA After Her Rookie Season
In the same media session, Paige Bueckers was also asked about the areas in which she achieved growth as a WNBA player following her rookie season.
“My confidence, my voice, being able to lead…[When] I came in as a rookie, I wanted to gain everybody’s respect. I wanted to just jell with the team and not step on anybody’s toes.”
Bueckers added that she now takes accountability for helping lead the team according to the vision of new head coach Jose Fernandez.