The veteran noted that both players have acted professionally and will continue to separate off‑court matters from on‑court performance. She emphasized that neither player lets private life influence their commitment to teammates or the sport.
Bueckers stressed that Azzi Fudd’s selection as the No. 1 pick was earned on merit, praising Fudd’s resilience and individuality. The two have a long history — they met at a USA U16 camp in 2017, teamed up at UConn, won the 2025 national title, and have repeatedly described each other as close friends in interviews and public moments.