UConn defeated UCLA 85-51, the largest margin of victory in Final Four history, to advance to the championship game. Setting the tone for the night was senior shooting guard, Azzi Fudd. Fudd had performed below expectations in the Elite 8 matchup against USC, but her 19 points against UCLA propelled UConn to a 34-point victory.
“I told all of them, I left that in Spokane, so Tampa was a new me,” Fudd said. “It’s March. It’s the Final Four, like, you can’t keep any of that with you.”
Paige Bueckers, UConn’s Squad Belief in Azzi Fudd
Fudd is a senior guard and has the respect and belief of the squad. Her shots didn’t fall in against USC, but for some of the girls, they never doubted her.
Paige Bueckers joked with Azzi Fudd about how she was saving her shots for Tampa. I asked her about it and the importance of keeping things light when shots aren’t falling.
“We believe in her… If you see her shoot, the whole country and everyone alive should believe in her.” pic.twitter.com/bIGps6IZMc
— Isabel Gonzalez (@cisabelg) April 5, 2025
“We believe in her… If you see her shoot, the whole country and everyone alive should believe in her.” Paige Bueckers said.
Fudd was a five-star recruit from high school and was ranked number one in the class of 2021 by ESPN. She had offers from UCLA, Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame, Maryland and Kentucky, but she ultimately chose UConn.
Fudd was named Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year. She averaged 12.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in her freshman year. She finished her sophomore season averaging 15.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game as UConn lost to Ohio in the Sweet 16.
Fudd tore her ACL at the beginning of her junior year. She came back during her senior year, and UConn reached the championship game of the 2025 NCAA tournament. At the end of the 2024-25 regular season, Fudd was named to the All-Big East First Team, along with teammates Sarah Strong and Bueckers.
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Fudd decided to skip the 2025 WNBA Draft and return to UConn next year for her last year of eligibility.
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