Professional basketball demands dedication, discipline, and countless hours of hard work. For many WNBA stars, having a supportive partner can also make a difference as they navigate demanding schedules, public attention, and the pressure to perform.
From Angel Reese and NBA player Wendell Carter Jr. to A’ja Wilson and Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, several basketball couples have attracted attention from fans. Others, including Sabrina Ionescu and Hroniss Grasu, have built their lives together away from the court.
Here is a closer look at some of the best-known relationships involving WNBA players and the people who share their lives.
Angel Reese and Wendell Carter Jr.: Supporting Each Other’s Careers
Angel Reese has become one of the most recognizable names in women’s basketball. The Atlanta Dream forward has attracted attention for her rebounding, competitive approach, and growing influence beyond the court.
Her relationship with Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. has also drawn interest from basketball fans.
In October 2026, Carter discussed how he spent the offseason, describing a balance of hard work, relaxation, and supporting Reese. He also explained that they encourage each other before and after games and try not to let outside criticism affect their performance.
Their relationship highlights a challenge many professional athletes face: maintaining a personal connection while competing in different cities and leagues.
Reese previously played for the Chicago Sky before joining Atlanta. Carter, meanwhile, competes in the NBA with Orlando.
A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo: Two Basketball Stars, One Partnership
A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo are among the most prominent couples in professional basketball.
Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces superstar, has established herself as one of the WNBA’s leading players. Adebayo is a center for the Miami Heat and has represented the United States in international basketball.
The pair kept much of their relationship private before Wilson spoke more openly about their connection in 2025.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Wilson described her partner as someone who provides emotional support and understands the demands of professional sports. Their shared experience at the highest level of basketball gives them a common perspective on competition, expectations, and recovery.
Wilson’s achievements also continued to draw attention in 2025. She was named TIME magazine’s Athlete of the Year after another historic season with the Aces.
Their story shows how two athletes can understand the pressures of elite competition while building a life outside their respective teams.
Sabrina Ionescu and Hroniss Grasu: From Basketball Fame to Married Life
New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has achieved success in the WNBA, on the international stage, and with the United States national team.
Away from basketball, she shares her life with Hroniss Grasu, a professional football player who also played college football at the University of Oregon.
The couple married on March 10, 2024. Ionescu marked the occasion on social media, describing their wedding day as one of the most meaningful moments of her life.
Although Ionescu’s career regularly puts her in the spotlight, her relationship is a reminder that professional athletes also have important milestones beyond their sporting achievements.
Their marriage brings together two people with experience in high-level competitive sports, where preparation, consistency, and commitment are essential.
Breanna Stewart and Marta Xargay Casademont: A Connection Built Through Basketball
Breanna Stewart, a multiple-time WNBA champion, found her partner in Spanish basketball player Marta Xargay Casademont.
The two met while playing professional basketball in Russia in 2018. Their shared sporting background gave them an understanding of the time, travel, and dedication required to compete internationally.
They became engaged and married in 2021. The couple later welcomed two children, Ruby and Theo.
Xargay stepped away from professional basketball in 2021 but has continued to support Stewart’s career.
Their relationship illustrates how a shared experience in professional sports can create a strong foundation. It can also help partners understand the sacrifices involved in pursuing success at the highest level.
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery: A Relationship Away From the Spotlight
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has become one of the most widely discussed players in women’s basketball.
Clark has been dating Connor McCaffery since 2023. McCaffery played college basketball at the University of Iowa and later worked as an assistant coach at Butler University.
Both have experience in competitive basketball, giving them a shared understanding of the demands of the sport.
While Clark’s performances attract considerable media attention, the couple has also shared supportive messages publicly. Their relationship reflects the importance of having someone who understands the pressures that come with a high-profile athletic career.
As Clark continues to develop her professional career, fans remain interested in both her achievements on the court and the life she maintains outside basketball.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd: From UConn Teammates to Professional Basketball
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have a connection that began through college basketball.
Both played for the University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team before moving into the professional game. Bueckers confirmed their relationship in 2025, bringing attention to a partnership that had already attracted public interest.
Fudd was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft, creating the possibility of the two playing together professionally.
Their basketball connection makes their story particularly interesting. They understand the sport’s competitive demands and have experience sharing the same team environment.
For fans, their journey represents a relationship that has developed alongside their careers in women’s basketball.
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas: Two Competitors Who Understand the Game
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas are established WNBA players whose relationship began while they were teammates with the Connecticut Sun.
The two announced their relationship in 2021 and became engaged in 2023, when Thomas proposed during WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Both players have competed at the highest level of women’s basketball, giving them a shared understanding of preparation, training, and the challenges of a professional season.
Their careers have also taken them to different teams. Playing for separate organizations can mean spending more time apart, but it also gives each athlete room to pursue individual professional goals.
Their story demonstrates how a relationship between two competitors can involve both mutual encouragement and the practical challenge of balancing busy sporting schedules.
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor: A Lasting Basketball Partnership
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor are among the notable couples in WNBA history.
Both played for the Phoenix Mercury, where they shared professional basketball experiences before getting married on May 13, 2017.
Their relationship continued beyond their playing careers, and they have two children, Leo and Isla.
Taurasi retired from professional basketball in 2025, marking the end of an exceptional playing career. Taylor had already stepped away from the sport.
Their story is a reminder that relationships formed during a demanding athletic career can continue to evolve after retirement, when family life and new priorities become more central.
Why Relationships Matter in Professional Basketball
Professional basketball requires more than physical ability. Athletes must manage travel, training, competition, media attention, and expectations from fans.
A supportive partner may help an athlete navigate those demands. However, each relationship is different, and not every player chooses to share personal details publicly.
Some couples, such as Sabrina Ionescu and Hroniss Grasu, have celebrated major milestones openly. Others prefer to keep much of their personal lives private.
There is also a unique dynamic when both partners are professional athletes. They may understand the pressure of competition firsthand, but coordinating two demanding careers can require flexibility and careful planning.
Ultimately, these relationships offer another perspective on the people behind the jerseys. While their performances define their professional careers, their personal lives remain their own.
Final Thoughts
From Angel Reese and Wendell Carter Jr. to Breanna Stewart and Marta Xargay Casademont, WNBA stars and their partners have different stories, backgrounds, and approaches to life in the public eye.
Some couples share a love of basketball, while others bring together athletes from different sports. What connects many of these stories is an understanding of the commitment required to compete professionally.
As women’s basketball continues to attract a growing audience, fans are interested not only in the results but also in the people and experiences that shape the players’ lives away from the court.
The most important thing to remember is that every athlete’s relationship is personal. Public interest can introduce fans to these stories, but respect for privacy remains essential.