Azzi Fudd Tells Paige Bueckers Who Her Favorite WNBA Player Is originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd shared her pick for favorite WNBA player in a candid exchange with Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers during Instagram’s latest episode of “Close Friends Only.”
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The lighthearted moment quickly turned into a basketball conversation highlighting their personal connections to the league’s stars.
When Bueckers asked, “Who is your favorite WNBA player?” Fudd jokingly answered, “Probably Paige Bueckers.”
Bueckers, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, laughed and reminded Fudd, “I was about to say, mind you, I’m in the WNBA now.”
Fudd then made her official choice, naming Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier.
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“Second choice, I’m gonna go with Naphee. Everything about her game is just perfect,” Fudd said.
Paige Bueckers Shares Favorite WNBA Player
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots a free throw against the Washington Mystics during the second half at College Park Center. Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Fudd returned the question, challenging Bueckers not to name herself. The Wings guard didn’t hesitate: “If I had to pick non-former teammate, yeah, it would probably be Phee.”
Bueckers recalled a moment from earlier this season when Collier tried to post her up.
“I think it was the first game of the season. She tried to post me up like I was baby food or something, so clearly that lesson didn’t teach you much,” she joked.
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Collier, a five-time WNBA All-Star, is having an MVP-caliber season with Minnesota, averaging 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game before suffering a recent ankle sprain.
Both Bueckers and Fudd have a direct link to Collier through the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program. Collier played for UConn from 2015 to 2019, winning two national championships and earning national player of the year honors. Bueckers and Fudd followed in that same Huskies tradition, forging their own paths while maintaining close ties to past stars.
While Collier is sidelined with a right ankle sprain, the Lynx still lead the WNBA with a 27–5 record. Her absence comes at a critical point in the playoff race. Minnesota will be challenged to maintain its dominance without their leading scorer and defensive anchor.
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The “Close Friends Only” episode featuring Bueckers and Fudd is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and YouTube.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
