<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Jessica Hill\/AP<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Ross D. Franklin\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Ross D. Franklin\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jim Shannon\/Hearst Connecticut Media<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Tony Gutierrez\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Jessica Hill\/AP<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Rick Scuteri\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2014 This time last year, Azzi Fudd <\/a>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\u2019s basketball <\/a>teammates shoved even more pieces of that rainbow glitter in her face. Tear lines \u2013 from the pure joy and relief of accomplishing one\u2019s goal \u2013 streaked the star guard\u2019s face.<\/p>\n This year, those tears were of disappointment, depression and heartbreak.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n She began lightly shaking her head, before squeezing her mouth shut, rolling her lips and blinking hard. Geno Auriemma <\/a>rubbed her back. Fudd\u2019s voice became nasally soft and slow.<\/p>\n In between sniffles, her eyes began to glisten. She wiped away one single tear that had escaped.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Make CT Insider a preferred source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI mean, obviously, this isn’t how I wanted my career at UConn to end,\u201d she said. \u201cThese five years, I have so much to be grateful for. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates, better coaches, a better experience. \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Azzi Fudd\u2019s collegiate career ended Friday night in UConn\u2019s Final Four loss to South Carolina.<\/a> She\u2019ll graduate as a national champion, an All-American, one of the best Huskies to ever shoot it from deep, and as last year\u2019s Final Four Most Outstanding Player.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But more importantly, she leaves the UConn program as a reminder of perseverance. When injuries stole her season<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n In the coming week, she\u2019ll 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\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n \u201cJust watching her grow and develop throughout my time here has been something I’ll never forget,\u201d said sophomore Allie Ziebell. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Fudd came to UConn already a star.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Elsa\/Getty Images<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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\u2019t help himself and took\u00a0Fudd under his wing before she even set foot in Storrs.<\/p>\n But even the greatest of greats have setbacks.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n She fought her way back both times and returned both times better than she\u2019d been before.<\/p>\n Last year, before the Huskies\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d said Fudd. \u201cI wouldn’t trade staying for anything. I love these girls forever, my sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Christian Petersen\/Getty Images<\/p>\n This year, off the court, Fudd\u2019s 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, \u201cThe People\u2019s Princess,\u201d or her brand\u2019s most iconic saying, \u201cFudd around and find out,\u201d filled the stands. Even her family became celebrities,<\/a> thanks to their abundant support of her and the UConn program.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cShe’s a really special person. I’m just so blessed to get the opportunity to play with her,\u201d said redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy. \u201c\u2026 She always made me feel like home. Always was there. Always was the best teammate you could ever ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n In the locker room after UConn\u2019s loss to the Gamecocks, no one mentioned Fudd\u2019s podcast or her many basketball accolades. They mentioned her heart and her caring impact.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n