KK Arnold recently admitted her first encounter with Azzi Fudd did not go smoothly, saying the introduction left her “upset.” What began as tension, however, transformed into one of the closest friendships in college basketball. Arnold and Fudd said they grew closer through long hours in workouts, team activities, and creating TikTok content together.
Over time, the effort both guards poured into basketball and off-court projects helped them discover common ground. Reflecting on their bond, they acknowledged that honest conversations and shared experiences ultimately united them.
KK Arnold Opens Up About Rocky Start With Azzi Fudd, Explains How Friendship Grew Stronger
When KK Arnold joined UConn, her early interactions with Azzi Fudd were far from smooth. During a recent episode of “Fudd Around and Find Out,” Arnold admitted that her introduction to the Huskies guard left her feeling unsettled.
“Even Azzi can say when I first had met her, she thought I was too much for her — [those] were her words,” Arnold said. “Maybe it can come off strong to some people, but like I didn’t really do that much. I was literally just dancing, you know, I was just being me.”
She recalled that every time she saw Fudd, the look on her face felt discouraging.
“Like, I felt like really sad. Oh, she upset me. Like I was really upset.”
Fudd acknowledged the tension as well, responding directly to Arnold during the show.
“You upset me when you were doing a lot,” she admitted, describing her initial reaction.
Arnold said that as the season wore on, she tried to adjust.
“Towards the end of the year as I read the room, I left her alone. Then I saw the other side of her where she was like smiling at me, which is weird,” she added.
According to Arnold, the turning point came late in that first year.
“Now it took a whole year for her to warm up. And then the next year we were besties. And now look at us. We’ve come a long way.”
The pair’s friendship has since flourished, with much of their bonding happening in the gym and online. Their frequent TikTok appearances are a testament to how much their relationship has shifted. Arnold explained their routine:
“We send each other dances. I’m like, KK, let’s make a TikTok today. KK, can we make a TikTok today? That’s how it goes.”
She added that most clips come together quickly, and joked about teaching Fudd to dance.
“I’m like, well, learn this real quick. Real quick. Takes a little 5-10 minutes.”
What began with side-eyes and misunderstandings has turned into one of UConn’s strongest bonds. Arnold and Fudd are expected to lead the Huskies next year as they aim to repeat as national champions.