"Love Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd with all my heart": College hoops fans react to UConn stars taking over LA as part of NIL deal
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have forged a special relationship during their college basketball careers as UConn Huskies teammates. On Wednesday, Bueckers showcased their friendship through her latest TikTok video.
In the video, Bueckers gave her 2.9 million followers on the platform a glimpse of her trip to Los Angeles alongside her teammate. The duo traveled to the West Coast for a special event to promote Madison Reed's demipermanent hair color product, ColorWonder.
The video starts with Bueckers and Fudd on a flight to LA, followed by Bueckers dyeing her hair with Madison Reed's Sparkling Rosé shade. The duo then visited Studio City for the event, where they were welcomed by numerous fans.
Bueckers' TikTok video with Fudd sparked plenty of reactions from fans, who celebrated their friendship.
"Love Paige and Azzi with all my heart they inspire me to do my best at anything," said one fan.
Another fan commented:
"I was late to work BY TWO HOURS just to meet Paige and Azzi but it was worth it!!"
"This was so iconic, you guys both looked stunning!!" another added.
Some fans complimented Bueckers' new hair color.
"Paige looks good no matter where she is and what she's doing," said one fan.
"PINK PAIGE PINKKKK," rejoiced another fan.
Another fan exclaimed, "PINK PAIGE PINKKKK!!"
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd signed NIL deals with Madison Reed this August
This August, the beauty brand announced NIL deals with Bueckers, Fudd, Ice Brady and highly touted UConn freshman Morgan Cheli. Bueckers and Fudd's visit to LA was part of their commitments associated with their deal with Madison Reed.
Paige Bueckers is expected to be the top pick for the 2025 WNBA draft. She returned from an ACL injury which kept her out of the 2022-23 season and had a strong 2023-24 season, winning the Big East Player of the Year and unanimous First-Team All-American honors.
In 35 starts last season, Bueckers averaged 21.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks to help them make the Final Four. She has yet to win an NCAA Tournament title and aims to end the Huskies' nine-year drought in her final season of college eligibility.