UConn head coach Geno Auriemma’s close connection with Azzi Fudd played a surprising yet crucial role in the rise of her viral nickname, “The People’s Princess,” a title coined by Paige Bueckers. Auriemma, who has spent four decades transforming standout college players into WNBA stars, once again guided a championship roster.

Inside Geno Auriemma’s Role in Azzi Fudd’s ‘People’s Princess’ Moment

When Bueckers first called Fudd “The People’s Princess,” it quickly became part of college basketball’s lexicon. What started as a playful remark evolved into a symbol of how UConn head coach Auriemma views one of his most disciplined and polished players.

During an appearance on “Fudd Around and Find Out,” Auriemma addressed his unexpected connection to the viral nickname, offering rare insight into his coaching dynamic with Fudd.

Asked if he had a hand in the title, Auriemma laughed, saying, “I do. Yeah.” He recalled seeing Fudd with a water bottle labeled “Princess Ay” and admitted, “I didn’t realize she was the People’s Princess.”

The nickname, often tied to the idea that Auriemma doesn’t yell at Fudd during practice, drew a good-natured response from both coach and player.

“I heard you don’t yell at her at practice,” co-host Ashanti Plummer teased. “I don’t know if that’s completely true,” Auriemma replied. When asked directly, Fudd admitted, “I don’t get yelled at that much,” prompting Auriemma to add, “There’s really not a lot to get upset about and yell about.”

Auriemma described Fudd as one of his most consistent and focused athletes.

“AZ comes ready to go every single day,” he said. “You don’t complain about her effort or her concentration level.” He credited her dedication both on the court and in the weight room, saying she “gives the best version of herself” in every setting. Yet, Auriemma also admitted that her biggest challenge is embracing risk.

“Sometimes I get upset with her about her lack of adventure,” he explained. “She’s not a risk taker.” He noted that during the “Final Four,” Fudd began stepping out of her comfort zone, taking chances that paid off.

The nickname’s origins trace back to a 2024 Final Four interview when Bueckers described her teammate as “one of the most perfect basketball players” and added, “There’s not a flaw in her game. There’s nothing you can really yell at her at, which is why she’s like the ‘Princess’ from coach.”

In August, during an episode of “Good Game With Sarah Spain,” Fudd reflected on the moment.

“I think Paige made a comment about how I’m the princess because coach doesn’t yell at me, and somehow that morphed into people calling me ‘The People’s Princess,’” she said. “Yeah, I’m not really sure. I know I’m not mad about it, though.”

This past season, Fudd and Bueckers were instrumental in leading the Huskies to their first national title in nearly 10 years, outplaying South Carolina in the 2025 NCAA championship game.