Azzi Fudd joined Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies in 2021 as a five-star recruit. Over the next five years, Fudd developed elite scoring capability, high basketball IQ, off-ball movement, and more. She also won numerous individual honors and the 2025 NCAA championship.
Now she’s in her final year with the Huskies, and it’s a bittersweet moment for her and Coach Geno. Auriemma has been in this position before, having worked with some of the best players to ever grace the game.
He recently spoke on Fudd’s last NCAA Tournament. Auriemma said that as emotional as the moment is for Fudd, she’d also be very excited for her future. She is a top contender to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Before Fudd gets to the big league, she has one last opportunity to add another title to her college career resume.
“Players are people and people are human. They’re affected by emotion in many different ways. I’m sure there’s a part of Azzi that’s unbelievably excited — it’s her last chance to get another national championship,” Auriemma said.
The Huskies have been unbeaten until now after 34 games this season. Coach Geno said that the incredible run this season must be exciting for Fudd. At the same time, she’d also be thinking that this is going to be her last run with UConn.
“Another Final Four, another incredible run. I’m sure there’s a tremendous amount of excitement there. And at the same time, there’s also a, ‘I can’t believe this is my last time,’ and you don’t know how those emotions affect it,” he said.
Auriemma’s UConn Huskies are the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket. They will play their first game against the UTSA Roadrunners on Saturday, March 21, at Gampel Pavilion.
Geno Auriemma on Why This is Azzi Fudd’s Biggest Career Moment
The Huskies have historically been one of the best teams in the country. By simply being a part of the roster at UConn, players build their stellar resumes. This year is going to be different for the 23-year-old shooting guard.
Auriemma said that Fudd has been through a lot over the years, and she deserves to be in the position she’s in this time. This is her team now. She is the leader, and she’s getting to play a big part in their success.
“Knowing what Azzi’s been through, what she’s had to go through all these years, I would think she sees this as, ‘I deserve this after what I’ve been through.’ She may have been to other Final Fours before last year, but none of them where she played a big part,” Auriemma said.
She has struggled with injuries in the past and hasn’t been at her 100%. Now she’s in full control of her game and is ready to lead her team to glory.
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