“God didn’t play at all about year 23,” Paige Bueckers wrote in the caption of her birthday post. A national champion, a No.1 overall pick, an All-Star, and Rookie of the Year- all in one year. Yes, if anyone’s got reason to say it with her chest, it’s Paige. Naturally, her star-studded comment section lit up with wishes. Her story reposts overflowed with love. Yet, the sweetest one of them all might’ve slipped right past you. No, it wasn’t her star girlfriend Azzi Fudd.

Surprisingly, Azzi was missing from the long list of people who wished Paige a happy birthday on social media. We’d love to believe she was just busy making Paige’s day special in person instead of online. But Huskies star has never skipped posting for PB’s birthday in the past. Not once. So, yes, fans definitely noticed the silence this time.

Luckily, someone from the Fudd family did wish Paige, though. Azzi’s brother, Jon Fudd, came through with a sweet birthday tribute that honestly made up for the absence. He shared a beautiful collage filled with countless pictures of Paige and him through the years, so many memories packed into one post. His caption melted hearts too, writing, “Happy birthday sis, love you tiphead 💙,” and adding that it’s been “100 months of friendship.”

That little detail says everything, doesn’t it?

We know that the UConn duo’s bond runs deep, way back to their high school basketball days. Over the years, they’ve been inseparable, both as teammates and a couple who eventually helped lead the UConn Huskies to their NCAA Championship win. Obviously, the two have clearly become part of each other’s families, and Jon’s post was yet another reminder of how close-knit they are. And fans couldn’t get enough of the heartfelt gesture. 

Jon Fudd steals the attention with a first birthday shoutout for Paige Bueckers 

“First bday post for Paige came from Jon Fudd ❤️,” wrote a fan, noting that Jon was the very first to wish Paige a happy birthday this year. After his post, the list of well-wishers grew long, including Arike Ogunbowale, NaLyssa Smith, Flau’jae Johnson, Angel Reese, Steph Curry’s sister Sydel Lee-Curry, Nika Muhl, almost all of Paige’s ex-UConn teammates, and many more. 

One fan shared, “I’m feeling so parasocial over him saying ‘sis,’” and it’s easy to see why. That little word adds such a personal touch, signaling just how close Jon is to Paige, almost as close as Azzi herself. Jon is one of two younger brothers: Jon, 18, and José, both joined the Fudd family in 2011 when Azzi was in third grade. 

Originally fostered by Tim’s mom, their transfer into the Fudd household happened under difficult circumstances after her stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. Despite those challenging beginnings, the brothers have clearly grown close with the family and with Paige too.

A third user fixated on the word “sis.” But it’s not a surprise, as Jon has been a longtime supporter. Even when Paige won ROTY, he posted, “Proud of you Magic Baller” with a heart and fire emoji. Meanwhile, another user let everyone in the comment section know, “I genuinely texted him that they’re such cute honorary siblings.” It turns out this user is friends with Jon Fudd, and as we can see from the pictures, they grew up together, so it’s not hard to call them almost siblings.

And it’s not just Paige who’s close with Azzi’s siblings. It goes the other way around, too. Throwback to the draft when Paige and Azzi hadn’t publicly confirmed their relationship yet. Fudd also shared a touching moment with PB’s brothers Ryan and Drew, and sister Lauren, as they all rocked Dallas caps for an epic photo that she later posted on her Snap. 

While Paige’s siblings are still young and haven’t posted anything for Azzi yet, Jon currently holds the attention online. And all in all, as one user put it, “Such a sweet guy!!” All that remains is for Azzi to add a little birthday cheer herself – a birthday post or maybe a celebration picture – to make this sweet moment complete.