The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team had a lot to live up to in the 2025-26 season after winning the program’s 12th NCAA national championship last season.
Since star guard Paige Bueckers left for the WNBA after that championship, the onus was on graduate guard Azzi Fudd and star sophomore forward Sarah Strong to make it so Geno Auriemma’s squad didn’t lose a step from last season to this one.
These two have done a fantastic job of that through five games into their championship defense campaign. The No. 1-ranked Huskies are 5-0 to start the season and have beaten several solid teams, including the No. 6-ranked Michigan Wolverines by a score of 72-69 on November 21.
The Huskies dominated Michigan in the first half, outscoring them 45-27 after two quarters. But the Wolverines stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring UConn 18-4 heading into the final quarter. Ultimately, the fantastic performances that Fudd (who finished with 31 points, which included seven made three-pointers on 12 attempts) and Strong (who added 16 points, a staggering 20 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks, and 3 steals) produced led UConn to victory.
Nov 16, 2025; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) drives the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) in the first half at Peoples Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
Rebecca Lobo Makes Strong Azzi Fudd Assertion After UConn-Michigan Game
There’s a strong case to be made that Sarah Strong is already the best women’s college basketball player in the country, despite being just 19 years old. However, while Strong already seems like a lock to be the top pick of the 2028 WNBA Draft (when she first becomes eligible), Fudd is sure to be at least a top-five pick (and probably in the top three) in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft.
Women’s basketball legend and ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo took this sentiment a step further with an X post after UConn’s win against Michigan that read, “Sarah Strong is the best player in the country and Azzi Fudd will be the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft (assuming she stays healthy and current eligibility rules remain in the new CBA).”
The post already has over 80,000 views in about 12 hours.
Sarah Strong is the best player in the country and Azzi Fudd will be the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft (assuming she stays healthy and current eligibility rules remain in the new CBA). https://t.co/W3jDBqkbUi
— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) November 22, 2025
The fact that Lobo believes Fudd could be the No. 1 overall pick is fascinating, given that most others think either UCLA center Lauren Betts or Spanish star center Awa Fam will be the draft’s top pick.
But there’s no question Fudd is talented enough to take that top spot from either center. And since the Dallas Wings have the best chances of securing the No. 1 pick (the official 2026 WNBA Draft lottery takes place on November 23), this could mean Fudd will be reunited with Paige Bueckers at the professional level.
Recommended Reading: