Geno Auriemma Comes To The Defense Of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 5, 2026 5:18 PM ET

Two of Geno Auriemma's star pupils, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, are teammates again in the WNBA and their personal relationship (specifically their refusal to talk about it) has become a touchy subject among sports media.

But on the heels of Bueckers remarking that their relationship is nobody's business, the topic was broached with the UConn head coach. Speaking to reporters on the matter this week, Auriemma defended Bueckers' stance and believes that she had the best point in declaring that everything other than basketball is nobody's business.

"You know, I think Paige had the best quote out of all of them. 'What I do in my personal life is my business and nobody else's business.' And I believe that. And as far as I'm concerned, they are two great people who have come through our program, and done amazing things while they're here. And whatever else, they do that's a personal matter for them," he added.

"They're two great people who have come through our program and done amazing things while they're here and whatever else they do that's a personal matter for them" Geno on Paige and Azzi pic.twitter.com/3ysHxt14B4
— ivy (@535pbaz) May 4, 2026

Bueckers & Fudd

The controversy began shortly after Fudd was taken first overall by the Dallas Wings and reunited with Bueckers. At her introductory press conference, a reporter attempted to get a question in on her personal relationship with Bueckers, only to be told by the team that such questions were not permitted.

But media members persisted and tried to get an answer out of Bueckers. On April 27, she replied to the question with this:

“Quite frankly, I believe me and Azzi’s personal relationship is nobody’s business but our own. And what we choose to share is completely up to us. But I understand that as media members, you guys have a job to do, and you guys have to ask questions about the basketball aspect of it. So that’s what I will be addressing today,” Bueckers said.

That response hasn't sat well with everyone. Some have argued it's a case of Fudd and Bueckers trying to get special treatment that other superstars won't get while others believe it's a valid question that undermines the league's relationship with the media.

Whatever the case may be, we won't be getting any answers anytime soon.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: