After sitting out nearly the entire 2023-24 NCAA season, UConn guard Azzi Fudd made her triumphant return to the court Wednesday – the same night the team's veteran coach, Geno Auriemma, became the winningest coach in the history of collegiate basketball.
Though her return wasn't intentionally planned for Auriemma's big night, Fudd told ESPN that everything worked out the way it was meant to. "It just happened really perfectly," she said. "And I'm so grateful I was able to play." Fudd collected 4 points and 1 rebound in her 12 minutes on the court, a promising start for a young woman who was the No.1-ranked HoopGurlz recruit in the 2021 class.
Having Fudd back out on the court was also good news for the Valkyries, as the 5'11" senior is one of the athletes rumored to be a potential number 5 pick in next year's draft — unless something changes between now and then. Fudd suffered an ACL and medial meniscus tear at practice in November 2023 and was pulled for the remainder of the season. Since then, all eyes have been on Fudd as she's worked her way back up to full health.
Her injury last year wasn't Fudd's first — in fact, it wasn't even her first as a UConn player. She only played 25 games her freshman season after a foot injury and separate knee injuries kept her off the court for periods of time the following year.
The upcoming season will have a major impact on where Fudd lands in the draft. The Valkyries could certainly benefit from her size and shooting abilities, and her relationship to Warriors star Steph Curry has already set the stage for her to enjoy the royal treatment in the Bay Area. Fudd first met Curry as a 15-year-old when she was invited to participate in his SC30 Select Camp, and he praised her heavily before her commitment to UConn became official.
"She can be going full speed and stop on a dime and have, like, a feathery release," Curry told ESPN at the time. "I think she has more of a textbook jumper than anyone I've seen. Maybe Klay Thompson and Azzi Fudd. ... You go Ray Allen, Klay Thompson and Azzi Fudd, textbook. You would teach somebody how to shoot with their form."
UConn will next face Oregon State on Nov. 25 at the Tire Baha Mar Women's Championship in the Bahamas. Ole Miss and Boston College are also part of the championship, and the winners of each game will play one another for the title on Nov. 27.