The inclusion of KK Arnold and Sarah Strong on the 2026 Naismith Women’s College Defensive Player of the Year watch list highlights UConn’s defensive renaissance. Arnold has been a catalyst in the Huskies’ high-octane pressure, utilizing her elite speed to be second on the team with 54 steals and leading a defensive unit that ranks among the best in the nation.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s sophomore campaign has been nothing short of historic. She leads the team in every major defensive category, including blocks (34) and steals (76), ranking fifth nationally in the latter. Together, they anchor a defense allowing just 51.0 points per game, cementing UConn as a powerhouse on both ends of the floor.
The absence of Azzi Fudd on this list has surprised many Huskies fans. However, this is not a slight on her performance, but a reflection of her specialized role. Noting Fudd’s omission from the list, the fans voiced their opinions online. One fan said:
“not including Azzi is criminal, she brings some of the most impressive defense to this team.”
Another fan added:
“Azzi should be on this list.”
This fan said:
“The defense collapses when azzi is not on the floor. I’m shocked she’s at least not on this list.”
Another fan said:
“All of them deserves but Azzi is snubbed to not get a mention the stats and eye test show that.”
This fan wrote:
“Man…im sorry azzi, keep ur head up and continue to stay positive…I know u probably dont care about awards but the way they subbing u this year is crazy! Continue to play aggressive and good things will always come your way.”
Nevertheless, Fudd remains UConn’s primary offensive engine, leading the team with 17.2 points per game, while shooting a lethal 44.5% from beyond the arc. Defensively, she has shown resilience, averaging 2.2 steals per game.
However, her national recognition this season has been her elite shooting and overall scoring. She was notably named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list, which honors the top shooting guard in the country, and the prestigious Wade Trophy watch list for the nation’s best overall player.
Azzi Fudd Shone in Her Homecoming Game at Washington
Azzi Fudd returned to the Washington Mystics’ arena for her final hometown game as a UConn Husky and shone against Georgetown. Although she struggled early from deep, she finished the night with 19 points and a strong all-around game. Fudd embraced the moment with her family and reflected on her local roots, saying,
“I was actually watching one of my old high school games over break and the team we were playing against, it was like five D-I players. To look at that and to see just, like, that’s who you’re competing against. … That’s not something a lot of players get to experience in high school.”
Even coach Geno Auriemma was incredibly pleased to see the way Fudd has evolved. Highlighting her maturity and ability to handle immense pressure, Auriemma said:
“I get a lot of satisfaction when you see a player, even freshman year, whenever it was, and everybody starts telling you how much potential this kid has… And sometimes that puts a lot of pressure on someone to have to try to live up to those things. And it can go sideways and it gets to them. She’s managed to handle it all exceptionally well.”
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