Rumors about Paige Bueckers’ boyfriend have spread across social media, though the UConn basketball star clearly prioritizes her athletic career. The first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings has managed to keep her personal life private. She made her priorities clear in a GQ interview by stating, “I’m more just focused on basketball.”
The Minnesota native’s career is a soaring win. She averaged 19.9 points per game during her final UConn season and became this century’s only player to beat a No. 1 seed five times in NCAA tournament history. Her dating life remains mysterious. Fans have linked her name to NBA star Jalen Suggs and former Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, but these connections lack confirmation. The 23-year-old athlete’s million-plus Instagram followers watch her every move, which leads to constant questions about her sexuality and relationship status.
Paige Bueckers’ Private Life: What We Know So Far
Paige Bueckers stands out from other sports celebrities her age by keeping her personal life private, particularly her romantic relationships. The UConn star’s rise in women’s basketball has been remarkable, yet she consistently steers conversations toward her professional achievements instead of her dating life.
Bueckers responds with crystal-clear focus whenever someone asks about her relationship status. “I’m more just focused on basketball,” she told GQ, showing her steadfast dedication to her athletic career. This simple response addresses the endless questions about potential partners without revealing personal details.
The digital world reveals little about Bueckers’ romantic life. Her Instagram account boasts over 1 million followers, but her posts mainly feature basketball moments, teammate friendships, and family bonds. She hasn’t confirmed any romantic partners, including Matt Freeman – a name that sometimes pops up in online conversations.
Fans have spread rumors about Paige Bueckers’ sexuality, but she hasn’t addressed these discussions publicly. This mirrors her overall approach to privacy – she shares her athletic experience openly with fans while drawing clear lines around her personal relationships.
Basketball remains Bueckers’ main priority right now. She’s busy recovering from a serious ACL injury that kept her off the court for the 2022-23 season and preparing for her WNBA career with the Dallas Wings. Her intense focus on rehabilitation and getting back to peak performance leaves little room for serious romantic relationships during this crucial phase.
Her deep friendships with teammates and family connections take precedence. People know about her close bond with former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd, which shows how much she values platonic relationships. She also keeps strong connections to her Minnesota roots and family members who’ve supported her throughout her journey.
Breaking Down the Rumors: Who Has Paige Been Linked To?
Paige Bueckers’ path to basketball stardom has sparked plenty of dating rumors, though she hasn’t confirmed any relationships herself.
Media circles often mention her childhood friend Jalen Suggs, who now plays guard for the Orlando Magic. Their story began in Minnesota during fourth grade when her brother and Suggs were teammates at Minnehaha Academy. People called them “JalenPaige” because they were inseparable, which led to relationship rumors. All the same, they both say they’re just close friends. These rumors fizzled out after Suggs started dating TCU guard Hailey Van Lith.
Spencer Rattler, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback now with the New Orleans Saints, was another rumored connection. Reports suggest they met in high school in Minnesota, where Rattler’s family has athletic ties. The relationship supposedly lasted a year, but neither one ever confirmed it publicly.
Matt Freeman, a New Zealand-born UConn walk-on player, has been linked to Bueckers as of late. Social media sleuths spotted them dining out and exercising together. Rumors suggest they share a love for food and watching shows, but no solid proof exists for these claims.
Her close friendship with teammate Azzi Fudd has also raised eyebrows. They bonded at a USA Basketball camp, and their connection grew stronger after Fudd joined UConn following Bueckers’ “#GetAzziToUConn” campaign. Their chemistry on court, emotional celebrations after winning the 2025 national championship, and WNBA Draft interactions fueled speculation. A fan even commented on social media, “Once again, I’m not saying anything, but… Azzi and Paige, we know what you are.”
Bueckers ended up deflecting questions about her dating life in a February 2025 GQ interview: “I’m more just focused on basketball… It’s a crazy world out there.”
Social Media, Speculation, and LGBTQ+ Representation
Social media watches Paige Bueckers’ every move. Her 2.3 million TikTok followers and 1.8 million Instagram fans analyze each post to find romantic hints. She has become a cultural phenomenon on social media.
Bueckers handles her own social media accounts, unlike many celebrities. She knows about the fan edits and speculation about her sexual orientation. She acknowledged in a Highsnobiety interview that she has “become an icon for the queer community”, but keeps her personal life private.
Women’s basketball provides context for this speculation with its thriving LGBTQ+ representation. The WNBA now has 42 out players on its 12 teams, making it one of the world’s most progressive professional leagues. The WNBA led the way in 2014 by becoming America’s first professional sports league to reach out to LGBTQ+ fans. Many now describe it as a “safe haven”.
LGBTQ+ fans share a strong bond with women’s sports. Studies show LGBTQ+ community members are 71% more likely to watch women’s sports over men’s. The UK average for active lifestyles stands at 63%, while 73% of lesbians and 77% of gay men stay active.
This representation holds significance for college athletes like Bueckers. Former NCAA player Bree Horrocks explained: “It’s inspiring to see the best athletes in the world being their authentic selves. If at the highest level they can be successful and live open and out then why can’t college athletes?”
Bueckers recognizes representation’s importance. She uses her platform to promote underrepresented groups, especially Black women in basketball. “I play a sport that has a large population of Black female athletes that I don’t think get nearly close to the amount of attention that the white female athletes do,” she told Highsnobiety.
Fans keep speculating about Paige dating Matt Freeman or others. Meanwhile, she stays focused on basketball and uses her fame to support causes greater than herself.
Conclusion
Paige Bueckers keeps her personal relationships private, even as rumors and curiosity grow on social media. People speculate about her connections with Jalen Suggs, Spencer Rattler, Matt Freeman, and her teammate Azzi Fudd. In spite of that, the UConn star prefers to highlight her professional achievements when asked about her dating life.
Basketball remains Bueckers’ main goal as she moves from college superstar to WNBA rookie with the Dallas Wings. “I’m more just focused on basketball,” she says, which shows exactly where her priorities lie during this crucial time in her career. The WNBA leads professional sports in inclusivity, and women’s basketball has strong LGBTQ+ representation.
Without doubt, Bueckers knows how to make use of her influence. She promotes underrepresented groups instead of sharing details about potential romantic partners. This lets her keep her personal life private while building meaningful connections with fans. Questions about her dating life won’t stop anytime soon, but Bueckers has made it clear – her athletic achievements will define her story, while her private life stays private.
FAQs
Q1. Is Paige Bueckers currently in a relationship? As of now, Paige Bueckers has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. She has consistently stated that her primary focus is on basketball and her professional career.
Q2. Who has Paige Bueckers been rumored to date? While there have been speculations about Paige dating Jalen Suggs, Spencer Rattler, and Matt Freeman, none of these rumors have been confirmed. Bueckers maintains a private personal life.
Q3. How does Paige Bueckers handle questions about her dating life? Bueckers typically deflects questions about her personal relationships, redirecting attention to her basketball career. In a GQ interview, she stated, “I’m more just focused on basketball.”
Q4. What does Paige Bueckers’ social media reveal about her personal life? Paige’s social media primarily showcases her basketball moments, friendships with teammates, and family connections. She doesn’t share explicit details about her romantic life on these platforms.
Q5. How does Paige Bueckers’ approach to privacy align with LGBTQ+ representation in women’s basketball? While Bueckers maintains privacy about her personal life, she acknowledges her status as an icon in the LGBTQ+ community. The WNBA, where Bueckers will play, is known for its strong LGBTQ+ representation and inclusivity.
