Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers were teammates for four years at UConn. In that time, they developed a close friendship, but it will not continue at UConn. Their basketball paths are splitting apart this season. Fudd will continue at UConn whereas Bueckers has started her WNBA career.
On Thursday, Bueckers was recognized by the WNBA as the Rookie of the Month. In that time, she averaged 21.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. This is an improvement in her overall totals for the year.
After the Dallas Wings posted about Bueckers’ Rookie of the Month honors, Bueckers’ former teammate, Azzi Fudd, reposted the news to her Instagram story.
After a stellar June that earned Bueckers Rookie of the Month honors, Bueckers is off to a strong start in July. Her Dallas Wings played their first game of the month on Thursday, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 98-89. Bueckers had another strong game, posting 23 points, four rebounds, five assists and one block.
However, June was not without its problems for Bueckers; she missed the Mystics game on June 28 with a knee injury. She revealed that she is dealing with Patellar Tendinitis.
“I’ve been dealing with patellar tendinitis since I was in high school,” Bueckers said. “In a sense, you’re managing it at all times. There’s no day where it probably doesn’t hurt.
“But to be on the second night of a back-to-back where I just played 38 minutes, it usually never feels great the day after the game. We usually either have an off day or a light practice day to where I can recover. Assuming I would either have to play a lot of minutes or be managed, we thought it was the smart thing to do to rest and recover.”
Injuries have been a consistent struggle for Bueckers throughout her career. Notably, she tore her ACL in college.
Azzi Fudd Could Follow in Paige Bueckers’ Footsteps As the Top Pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft
View this post on Instagram
Paige Bueckers was the first pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, and her former teammate, Azzi Fudd, could follow in her footsteps in 2026. Fudd is one of the early favorites to be the first pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. According to an early ranking by ESPN, released in April, UCLA’s Lauren Betts is the favorite to be the first pick next year.
However, coming in behind Betts is Fudd. Fudd had a stellar bounce-back season after an injury-riddled junior year. She appeared in 34 games, averaging 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
