Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers Share the Spotlight as UConn Stars Take Different Paths on the Same Magazine Cover
Azzi Fudd begins her new season at UConn with strong momentum after leading the Huskies, alongside Paige Bueckers, to the national championship. She scored 24 points in the title game and continued her impressive form by scoring 20 points in the season opener, helping UConn secure a 79-66 victory over Louisville with teammate Sarah Strong.
Fudd is positioning herself as a top prospect for the upcoming WNBA Draft. A compelling narrative is emerging with the Dallas Wings, who finished last in the recent season but hold the best odds to win the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The possibility of longtime friends Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers—who was the Wings' No. 1 overall pick in 2025—reuniting professionally is exciting.
Different Experiences on SLAM Magazine Covers
The shared history of Fudd and Bueckers recently came into focus when Fudd spoke about her two distinct SLAM magazine cover experiences. She opened up on her podcast, Fudd Around and Find Out, describing the evolution of her story both on and off the court since her first SLAM cover in 2021.
"The first, in 2021, featured her alongside then-freshman teammate Paige Bueckers, focusing primarily on their roles as emerging basketball stars."
Fudd’s recent cover marks her growth as an individual and athlete, reflecting her progress and changing narrative since that earlier feature.
Summary
Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers, UConn's star duo, are on different professional paths but remain linked by their shared success and iconic magazine covers that highlight their evolving basketball journeys.