Azzi Fudd’s Stellar Performance Propels UConn to Championship Game
TAMPA, Fla. — In the high-stakes environment of the national semifinals, Azzi Fudd of the UConn Huskies showcased her remarkable skills, leaving fans and analysts buzzing. With just over two minutes left in the first quarter against UCLA, Fudd executed a play that was nothing short of spectacular. As she dribbled to her left, her teammate Sarah Strong set a screen on UCLA’s Kiki Rice, giving Fudd a clear path to the basket. She stepped back, launched a three-pointer, and watched as the ball banked off the backboard and swished through the net.
Fudd’s reaction was priceless, sharing a moment of surprise and delight with Paige Bueckers on the wing. “I was like, ‘Oh that was ugly,'” Fudd admitted. “But, you know, make your misses. The bank was open for a minute, so I took advantage.”
After a challenging start in the Elite Eight against USC, where she missed her first nine shots, Fudd found her rhythm in the semifinals, scoring all 19 of her points in the first half. This performance was crucial in UConn’s victory over UCLA, setting the stage for a championship clash with South Carolina on Sunday.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma noted, “I could tell right away. I saw the way she was warming up a little bit, and you could tell it was just a different vibe.”
South Carolina is well aware of Fudd’s capabilities. In their last encounter on February 16, Fudd scored 28 points and shot 60% from beyond the arc, leading UConn to an 87-58 win. The Huskies boast a 25-1 record when Fudd scores at least 15 points, including 22 consecutive wins.
Fudd’s defensive prowess has also been on display this season, particularly during the tournament. She recorded three steals against UCLA and another three against Oklahoma in the third round.
With stars like Bueckers and the emerging talent of Strong, UConn is poised for success. However, to secure their 12th NCAA championship and first since 2016, they will need Fudd’s shooting and defensive skills.
The Making of a Shooting Star
Fudd’s journey to becoming one of the most feared shooters in college basketball began in Virginia. Her parents, Katie and Tim, played a pivotal role in developing her quick release. They would toss balls to her, challenging her with high or wide passes, which she would catch and shoot with precision.
Fudd’s shooting technique involves spinning the ball in her hands to align the lines with her fingers, ensuring a spiral shot. Her mother, Katie, who played at NC State and Georgetown, helped refine her shot during a summer dedicated to developing a “big-girl shot.”
The key adjustment was raising Fudd’s release point, allowing her to develop a true jump shot. This change was further honed when she trained with Stephen Curry’s trainer, Brandon Payne, who emphasized the importance of balance and footwork.
Curry himself praised Fudd’s shooting form, saying, “She gets pretty good lift on her jump shot compared to even me. The balance is key just because you have to feel rooted into the ground to keep going to get lift, to get power.”
Fudd’s shooting form is characterized by a smooth follow-through, a technique her mother describes as essential for a natural ball rotation. “The ball’s sensitive; it feels that,” Katie Fudd explained. “So if you’re real stressed and aggressive with your fingers, the ball’s not going to naturally rotate.”
Even Curry admitted, “It’s kind of like a shooter’s heaven when you watch that. I kind of get jealous about it, because it looks prettier than mine.”
Overcoming Adversity
Fudd’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. In the Elite Eight against USC, she missed her first nine shots. During a crucial break before the fourth quarter, Auriemma designed a play specifically for Fudd, despite her struggles. Her teammates encouraged her, and she delivered, hitting a critical three-pointer that extended UConn’s lead.
“After having missed all of the other ones, that was a big shot by her,” Auriemma said. “And then another one. And so, took a hunch, and ran with it. And it was big. Really big.”
Defensive Prowess and Resilience
In Friday’s national semifinal against UCLA, Fudd demonstrated her defensive skills, disrupting passes and converting turnovers into points. Auriemma had challenged her to improve defensively, and she responded by leveraging her footwork, a core component of her offensive game.
Fudd’s defensive stats have been impressive, averaging 1.3 steals per game during the season and 2.5 in March, including a season-high six against Arkansas State in the NCAA tournament’s first round.
Auriemma emphasized the importance of a well-rounded game, stating, “The more you do other than shoot the ball, the better success you have shooting it.”
Fudd’s resilience is evident off the court as well. She wears bracelets inscribed with “purpose” and “resilient,” reminders of her journey through injuries, including two ACL tears and a meniscus strain. Despite these setbacks, she has played in 33 of UConn’s 39 games this season, a testament to her determination.
As UConn prepares for the championship showdown against South Carolina, Fudd’s resilience and skill will be crucial. Her teammates and coaches have unwavering faith in her abilities, with Bueckers stating, “We know, nothing beats Azzi.”
Fudd is determined to prove that nothing beats UConn either. “We’ve been through so much,” she said. “Just to be here is incredible. We’re not done. We’re not settling.”
Originally Written by: Katie Barnes
