WNBA Legend Says Wings Could Form Title Duo With Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd When you get to the WNBA, if you have two guards that can pretty much do everything — defend, pass, shoot the three, get to the paint — then we’re talking about building championship DNA,” Taurasi said. The Huskies just keep on winning, as they await the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Sweet 16 in the hopes that by the end of the month, Fudd, again, will be Final Four-bound. Could Paige Bueckers Play With Azzi Fudd Again? Mar 2, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Breeze BC guard Paige Bueckers (5) at Barclay's Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images “I think just from a bird’s eye view, you would say Azzi is the number one pick and, you know, the synergy that she has with Paige on the court, they play great together,” Taurasi said. Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations Published 6 hours ago | Modified 6 hours ago Zain Bando is a writer & columnist for Gameday Media's MMA Knockout, expanding his portfolio as a Staff Writer for Dallas Wings On SI with previous in-network contributions around the echosystem. Outside of covering fights, Bando's background includes Big Ten football and men's basketball with leans toward Illinois and Northwestern with a broader league view for bylines including The Sporting News, FanSided, Men's Journal and others since 2019. Bando can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or via his social media accounts @zainbando99. Home/ Paige Bueckers#paige_bueckers #azzi_fudd #wnba_legend #dallas_wings #brooklyn_ny
USA Women Defeat Puerto Rico in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. women’s national team claimed its second victory in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, defeating host Puerto Rico 91-48. However, the win came with notable challenges, as the team struggled to maintain its usual rhythm. Caitlin Clark, who scored eight points, acknowledged the game’s uneven nature, calling it “a little clunky.” She noted that the team did not play to its full potential, despite a strong performance in their previous game against Senegal. The U.S. team’s performance against Puerto Rico contrasted sharply with their earlier win. On Wednesday, the squad displayed exceptional offensive flow and chemistry, appearing as if they had been playing together for a long time. This cohesion was absent in Thursday’s game, where the U.S. faced difficulties moving the ball, lost momentum, and committed 14 turnovers. Clark attributed part of the struggle to Puerto Rico’s zone defense, which disrupted the team’s transition game. However, she emphasized that many of the mistakes were self-inflicted, stemming from lapses in defensive coverage and communication. Head coach Kara Lawson echoed Clark’s assessment, stating that the team’s breakdowns resulted from a combination of factors. She highlighted the importance of precise defensive execution and adapting to opponents’ increased skill levels. “When your opponent increases in difficulty, they have more skill and power to exploit the things we are not doing well,” Lawson said. The coach also stressed the need for the team to refine its strategies as they continue to build chemistry. Despite having some of the world’s top basketball talent, Team USA is still in the process of developing team identity and cohesion.#paige_bueckers #kara_lawson #caitlin_clark #usa_women_team #fiba_world_cup_qualifiers
Angel Reese embraces role within USA Basketball’s ‘Young and Turnt Crew’ MIAMI — Angel Reese, a rising star for the Chicago Sky, is stepping into a new chapter as part of USA Basketball’s emerging core, dubbed the ‘Young and Turnt Crew.’ The group, which includes Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Kiki Iriafen, is set to make its debut in senior national team competition at the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. The event, which begins this week, marks the first time TNT will broadcast USA Basketball’s qualifying games, signaling a shift in how the team’s international efforts are viewed. Reese, who grew up watching USA Basketball games with her grandmother, now finds herself in the spotlight as part of a new era for the team. Longtime veterans like Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird have retired, leaving room for younger players to take center stage. At a recent training camp in Miami, Bueckers coined the nickname ‘Young and Turnt Crew’ to describe the group’s fiery, competitive spirit. “Every time we step on the court, you see passion, you see fire, you see a competitive spirit about us,” Bueckers said. “We don’t shy away from that; we embrace that.” The term, which Bueckers described as a way to “talk crap,” resonates with the team’s approach. Bird, the managing director of USA women’s basketball, praised the group’s vocal intensity. “That’s the type of vocal I like,” Bird said, reflecting on her own career. Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, has remained involved with USA Basketball in retirement, overseeing the selection of the 12-player team for the qualifying tournament. She highlighted the group’s potential, noting their ability to balance individual flair with team cohesion.#angel_reese #usa_basketball #young_and_turnt_crew #fiba_world_cup_qualifying #paige_bueckers
