UConn guard Azzi Fudd (35) slaps hands with students at the end of a game against Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Jessica Hill/AP
UConn’s Azzi Fudd answers a question during an interview prior to the national semifinals at the Women’s Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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UConn players celebrate after UConn guard Azzi Fudd, left, made a 3-point shot against South Carolina during the second half of a woman’s NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press
UConn’s Sarah Strong (21) and Azzi Fudd (35) answers questions during a press conference leading up to the Final Four at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media
UConn guard Azzi Fudd breaks away after collecting a steal against Notre Dame during the first half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
UConn guard Azzi Fudd (35) makes a 3-point basket during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Syracuse, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Jessica Hill/AP
UConn guard Azzi Fudd (35) drives against South Carolina forward Maryam Dauda (30) during the first half of a woman’s NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
PHOENIX — This time last year, Azzi Fudd stood tall on a makeshift stage. A deep puddle of confetti lay at her feet and the second her name was called on the speakers, her UConn women’s basketball teammates shoved even more pieces of that rainbow glitter in her face. Tear lines – from the pure joy and relief of accomplishing one’s goal – streaked the star guard’s face.
This year, those tears were of disappointment, depression and heartbreak.
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On a back-of-house stage in front of a room of reporters that had become standing-room only, the emotion begged to be released. Yet, Fudd, always the perfect example of willpower and determination, tried hard.
She began lightly shaking her head, before squeezing her mouth shut, rolling her lips and blinking hard. Geno Auriemma rubbed her back. Fudd’s voice became nasally soft and slow.
In between sniffles, her eyes began to glisten. She wiped away one single tear that had escaped.
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“I mean, obviously, this isn’t how I wanted my career at UConn to end,” she said. “These five years, I have so much to be grateful for. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates, better coaches, a better experience. …
“I feel like I let the team down today. But a lot of gratitude, a lot of love. Just a love that I’ll never be able to verbalize and thank the coaching staff, the teammates, support staff, everyone from this program, that’s supported me, touched me. I’ll never be able to really verbalize how much they meant to me.”
Azzi Fudd’s collegiate career ended Friday night in UConn’s Final Four loss to South Carolina. She’ll graduate as a national champion, an All-American, one of the best Huskies to ever shoot it from deep, and as last year’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
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But more importantly, she leaves the UConn program as a reminder of perseverance. When injuries stole her season, again and again, Fudd showed what real grit looks like. She lived up to her sky-high expectations and became so much more than just a hot outside shot.
In the coming week, she’ll pack up her life in Storrs and take the next step in her career as a top prospect in the WNBA Draft. Next fall, when the Huskies begin their season and Fudd wraps up her rookie year in the league, her impact will join the silent shadow of former Husky greats as motivation to get back to the sport’s biggest stage.
“Just watching her grow and develop throughout my time here has been something I’ll never forget,” said sophomore Allie Ziebell. “I think the way her confidence has bloomed, and just how she’s gotten so much better, and how she works hard every day; she always does it with a smile. I think it’ll be really hard without her next year, and I know that everyone will miss her so much.”
Fudd came to UConn already a star.
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 29: Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies celebrates after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 70-52 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 29, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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She was the best high school player as a sophomore and mesmerized onlookers with her pure, perfected shooting form. There was nowhere on the court she couldn’t score from. Her pull-up release even as a teenager was electric, yet it was her ability to make 3-pointers look so easy that was the real showstopper. Even Stephen Curry couldn’t help himself and took Fudd under his wing before she even set foot in Storrs.
But even the greatest of greats have setbacks.
Fudd overcame not one but two major ACL injuries. The first robbed her of her junior year of high school. The second, her junior year of college. She approached recovery the same way she approached basketball, with an unrelenting pursuit of hard work and routine.
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She fought her way back both times and returned both times better than she’d been before.
Last year, before the Huskies’ national championship run, she committed to returning to UConn for a fifth year. One more chance to show off what she could do when fully healthy and one more year with teammates who become not just friends, but family.
“This team has meant, I mean, everything to me this year, like I’ve said, it hasn’t ended the way any of us had hoped, but it doesn’t change what these girls mean to me, what this program has meant to me, and what this extra year has given me,” said Fudd. “I wouldn’t trade staying for anything. I love these girls forever, my sisters.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 03: Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies reacts in front of her bench after a made basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the fourth quarter in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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This year, off the court, Fudd’s star skyrocketed into a new stratosphere. She was on magazine covers, billboards and all over social media feeds. Every UConn game, T-shirts with either her nickname, “The People’s Princess,” or her brand’s most iconic saying, “Fudd around and find out,” filled the stands. Even her family became celebrities, thanks to their abundant support of her and the UConn program.
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Yet, instead of living in the stardom, she lived in the moment with her teammates. She became a better teammate, friend and leader. She set the standard on the court and off it; she opened herself up to humble, honest friendships.
“She’s a really special person. I’m just so blessed to get the opportunity to play with her,” said redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy. “… She always made me feel like home. Always was there. Always was the best teammate you could ever ask for.”
In the locker room after UConn’s loss to the Gamecocks, no one mentioned Fudd’s podcast or her many basketball accolades. They mentioned her heart and her caring impact.
“I love Azzi Fudd so much,” said junior Ashlynn Shade between sniffles and cries. “She’s been my biggest role model, my biggest supporter since I’ve been here. We just relate to each other so much, and I’m really gonna miss her.”
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UConn guard Azzi Fudd (35) reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Syracuse, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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“She’s a big sister to me. She’s a great role model to look up to. The way she carries herself,” said junior KK Arnold before apologizing and needing 10 seconds to pause to keep her own tears from falling. “The way she carries herself as a person, you know, no wonder little kids look up to her. I mean, she’s such a joy to just to be around.”
And sophomore transfer Kayleigh Heckel, still new to season-ending locker room media, immediately sucked in a breath and let out a playful ‘Oh no, why would you ask me that,’ when asked about Fudd’s impact.
“I think just seeing all like the pressure that’s on her and stuff, you kind of feel for her in these moments. Obviously, it’s her last year, and it didn’t end exactly the way she wanted it to, but we all love her,” said Heckel. “… I learned a lot from her. And even just, like, off the court, too, she’s been an awesome role model for me and my roommate this year. … I’m gonna miss her a lot.”
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Fudd will return sometime soon to UConn as the program will induct her into its Huskies of Honor following her All-American graduate season. She finishes her college career with 1,687 points and 292 made 3-pointers, including a career-high 117 this season. On UConn’s all-time lists, she’s No. 21 for career points, No. 5 on career made-3’s, and No. 4 on single-season made 3’s.
She’s expected to be a top pick in April 13’s WNBA Draft and immediately impact whichever franchise selects her. Her professional career is a clean slate now and will undoubtedly also bring success and setbacks, as most do.
To Fudd, no matter what happens next, she’ll always look back at her time in Storrs with appreciation.
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“I have no words I can express, I guess, like the love, appreciation and gratitude that I have for everyone, from the players, the coaches, support staff, practice players, managers, like every single person,” said Fudd. “This program has done so much … I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of all of this. The good, the bad, the highs and lows have made me into the person, the player, that I am. And I’m forever grateful for that.”