For months, the question hung over the Dallas Wings: what’s the real story between Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd? This week we have the answer. Bueckers confirmed that she and Fudd broke up more than a year ago, long before the Wings selected the former UConn teammates back-to-back at No. 1. Fudd addressed the split first on her podcast, and Bueckers followed up with a message aimed at the rumors swirling around draft night.

That message was simple. Bueckers made clear that Dallas did not draft Fudd to appease her, saying “she was not drafted because she was my girlfriend. She was drafted because she deserved it.” Fudd backed up that claim on the floor, averaging 13.1 points per game as a rookie before right knee surgery ended her season at 30 games. Bueckers added that the two remain friends and remain professional.

The timing matters here. The Wings organization had steered away from the topic for months, even blocking a relationship question at Fudd’s introductory press conference. Now both players have addressed it directly, which clears the air for a franchise building around young talent. What do you think: did the Wings handle this the right way? Let us know in the comments.