Azzi Fudd at the Peak of her Powers

[AzzisBraids]

The saddest thing over the last few years was watching Azzi (and many others) on the bench. Full of talent, potential and promise but meddled by nagging injuries. You could see her in eyes on the bench a glossiness of trying to get through rehab and a hunger for the sport.

Fast forward to now and she is the top superstar in women's basketball from multiple fronts. Fresh from the National Championship game and being named Most Outstanding Player, she's having a career season in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Averaging 50/53/100 shooting and has transformed herself into a defensive stopper. She is having a NPOY year and if not for Sarah Strong, it would be undisputed.

Off the court: She has a thriving podcast "Fudd Around and Find Out," she leads the national in NIL across the NCAA, she's signing autographs after games, she goes to WNBA games and has a line waiting on her, she's covering magazines left and right and while the WNBA figures out the CBA, her decision to stay at UConn will make her the immediate beneficiary of whichever deal is decided.

Azzi has had her high and lows, mostly lows during her college career, but she's reached the pinnacle of the sport and is heading into 2026 as one of the top players on the top team at the top of the sport. If you don't believe me or the data, ask Sue Bird's niece, Rebecca Lobo, or Geno himself. This is well deserved after a rough few years and super happy for this young lady.

 

[oldude]

Considering all of the very serious injuries that Azzi has dealt with, going all the way back to HS, it’s a small miracle that she’s not only still playing, but playing at a NPOY level. Much like Paige, Azzi’s long journey to overcome adversity makes her success last season and this one all the more rewarding.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey.”

 

[my2cents]

Azzi's game has been at a different level since the 2nd half of the first South Carolina game. Since then, UConn has been virtually unbeatable. Her explosiveness on offense is as good as I have ever seen from a UConn player.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

There were times during her string of injuries I thought she should just accept her reduced role and not try to pursue the sport beyond college. I'm glad to see that she's not only healed but is excelling on all fronts. She's a great young lady with a bright future ahead of her.

 

[Geew1992]

Azzi's game has been at a different level since the 2nd half of the first South Carolina game. Since then, UConn has been virtually unbeatable. Her explosiveness on offense is as good as I have ever seen from a UConn player.

Ummm... you must have forgotten the USC game. Cuz if it wasn't for that elevator screen, many conversations would be different.

 

[jabstep]

Azzi is the fastest gun in WCBB when getting the ball behind a screen, it's like a dagger to the other team. She can hit 3 in a row and change the game in a voila. She is in her final year and we all hope it turns out like Paige's. She has raised her all around game each year and is deserving of a place on the wall.

 

[Bone Dog]

Get that girl up on the wall!

 

[oldude]

Get that girl up on the wall!

Assuming she stays healthy, knock on wood, Azzi appears to be a shoe-in for the 10-player WBCA AA team. That will get her on the wall. But frankly, that’s just for starters. I would love to see Azzi and Sarah split several of the NPOY awards on their way to an undefeated season and UConn’s 13th national championship.

 

[browns]

Azzi is having a great year but just doesn't fill out the stat sheet like Sara as she leads the #1 team in the country in rebounds ,assists,steals,fg%,blocks and is 2nd in scoring..who else can lead their team in assists and rebounds..fantastic..and although Azzi is a very good defender Sara can defend 1-5..I see Azzi making 2nd team AA and Sara 1st team and NPOY..as far as guards go HH was 1st team last year and will be again and Olivia Miles was 2nd team and I could see her moving up to Ist team leading undefeated TCU and putting up triple doubles

 

[Centerstream]

Azzi is having a great year but just doesn't fill out the stat sheet like Sara as she leads the #1 team in the country in rebounds ,assists,steals,fg%,blocks and is 2nd in scoring..who else can lead their team in assists and rebounds..fantastic..and although Azzi is a very good defender Sara can defend 1-5..I see Azzi making 2nd team AA and Sara 1st team and NPOY..as far as guards go HH was 1st team last year and will be again and Olivia Miles was 2nd team and I could see her moving up to Ist team leading undefeated TCU and putting up triple doubles

And you don't see Azzi making the 10 player AA team?
Of all the others that may make a required AA spot, you only mention two players, both associated with Notre Dame. On a thread praising Azzi. Unbelievable.

 

[Jonathan14]

Great post, @AzzisBraids! Another accolade I'm sure you'd agree with is that Azzi, like Paige before her, is a terrific representative of her team and her university. By all accounts, she is an incredibly hard worker and an awesome human being—the kind of athlete a parent can point to as a role model to their kids. (Trust me, I've done it!) 😀

We've been very fortunate as Husky fans to have so many young women who have been champions on and off the court, and, as you so rightly point out, it's a particular pleasure to see Azzi take her place among the greats after all she has gone through physically.

 

[oldude]

Azzi is having a great year but just doesn't fill out the stat sheet like Sara as she leads the #1 team in the country in rebounds ,assists,steals,fg%,blocks and is 2nd in scoring..who else can lead their team in assists and rebounds..fantastic..and although Azzi is a very good defender Sara can defend 1-5..I see Azzi making 2nd team AA and Sara 1st team and NPOY..as far as guards go HH was 1st team last year and will be again and Olivia Miles was 2nd team and I could see her moving up to Ist team leading undefeated TCU and putting up triple doubles

It’s still early and Sarah may end up being the consensus NPOY. But if UConn goes undefeated during the regular season (highly likely) and Azzi remains healthy (probable) there is no way in hell that Azzi is not a 1st team AA.

 

[huskeynut]

Azzi's journey has been up and down until last season and the tournament. She was finally health. I too wondered if her knees would hold up under the demands of the game. She is one tough player.

I think she will be a 1st team AA. Her offense is unbelievable since the second half of last season. What makes her so difficult to defend is her ability to drive the lane and pull up for a mid range jumper or a floater. Add her 3 point accuracy, she is a nightmare to defend.

Her defense is right there with the best.

 

[bigfive]

Talaysia Cooper Tennessee

Azzi Fudd UConn

Gianna Kneepkens UCLA

Joyce Edwards South Carolina

Hannah Hidalgo Notre Dame

Madison Booker Texas

Mila Holloway Michigan

Olivia Olson Michigan

Audi Crooks Iowa State

Box Plus/Minus

[td]

1.​

[/td]​

[td]Sarah Strong UConn[/td]

[td]

31.0​

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2.​

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21.5​

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3.​

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21.2​

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19.2​

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5.​

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18.7​

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6.​

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18.6​

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7.​

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18.6​

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8.​

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18.3​

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9.​

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[td]

17.9​

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[td]

10.​

[/td]​

[td]

17.8​

[/td]​

Audi Crooks Iowa State

Azzi Fudd UConn

Gianna Kneepkens UCLA

Addy Brown Iowa State

Maggie Doogan Richmond

Raegan Beers Oklahoma

Mikayla Blakes Vanderbilt

Gracie Merkle Penn State

Avery Koenen North Dakota State

Offensive Box Plus/Minus

[td]

1.​

[/td]​

[td]Sarah Strong UConn[/td]

[td]

17.3​

[/td]​

[td]

2.​

[/td]​

[td]

16.0​

[/td]​

[td]

3.​

[/td]​

[td]

14.3​

[/td]​

[td]

4.​

[/td]​

[td]

13.1​

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5.​

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12.8​

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6.​

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[td]

12.7​

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7.​

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12.1​

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8.​

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11.9​

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9.​

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[td]

11.8​

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[td]

10.​

[/td]​

[td]

11.8​

[/td]​

Talaysia Cooper Tennessee

KK Arnold UConn

Kennedy Cambridge Ohio State

Indya Nivar UNC

Mila Holloway Michigan

Rori Harmon Texas

Tori McKinney Minnesota

Brooke Quarles-Daniels Michigan

Madison Booker Texas

Defensive Box Plus/Minus

[td]

1.​

[/td]​

[td]Sarah Strong UConn[/td]

[td]

13.7​

[/td]​

[td]

2.​

[/td]​

[td]

10.9​

[/td]​

[td]

3.​

[/td]​

[td]

10.1​

[/td]​

[td]

4.​

[/td]​

[td]

9.7​

[/td]​

[td]

5.​

[/td]​

[td]

9.5​

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6.​

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9.3​

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7.​

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8.7​

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8.​

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8.5​

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9.​

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8.5​

[/td]​

[td]

10.​

[/td]​

 

[Cuango]

The saddest thing over the last few years was watching Azzi (and many others) on the bench. Full of talent, potential and promise but meddled by nagging injuries. You could see her in eyes on the bench a glossiness of trying to get through rehab and a hunger for the sport.

Fast forward to now and she is the top superstar in women's basketball from multiple fronts. Fresh from the National Championship game and being named Most Outstanding Player, she's having a career season in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Averaging 50/53/100 shooting and has transformed herself into a defensive stopper. She is having a NPOY year and if not for Sarah Strong, it would be undisputed.

Off the court: She has a thriving podcast "Fudd Around and Find Out," she leads the national in NIL across the NCAA, she's signing autographs after games, she goes to WNBA games and has a line waiting on her, she's covering magazines left and right and while the WNBA figures out the CBA, her decision to stay at UConn will make her the immediate beneficiary of whichever deal is decided.

Azzi has had her high and lows, mostly lows during her college career, but she's reached the pinnacle of the sport and is heading into 2026 as one of the top players on the top team at the top of the sport. If you don't believe me or the data, ask Sue Bird's niece, Rebecca Lobo, or Geno himself. This is well deserved after a rough few years and super happy for this young lady.

I agree she’s having a great year and that she and Sarah are frontrunners for NPOY but there is a young woman from Iowa State that is beginning to get some buzz for that award as well.

 

[YKCornelius]

Azzi is having a great year but just doesn't fill out the stat sheet like Sara as she leads the #1 team in the country in rebounds ,assists,steals,fg%,blocks and is 2nd in scoring..who else can lead their team in assists and rebounds..fantastic..and although Azzi is a very good defender Sara can defend 1-5..I see Azzi making 2nd team AA and Sara 1st team and NPOY..as far as guards go HH was 1st team last year and will be again and Olivia Miles was 2nd team and I could see her moving up to Ist team leading undefeated TCU and putting up triple doubles

Browns, I have watched Olivia Miles several times this year already. On the plus side, she is a beautiful passer with a lot of very good teammates around her. Even though her triple doubles have only come against extremely weak opponents, she is getting good press for achieving them. Good for her.

On the minus side, she remains a below average defender, which will work against her. Additionally, against TCU's only two halfway decent opponents she had two below par shooting performances (7-16 FG/1-5 3PT vs unranked Richmond, and 4-18/1-6 vs now-unranked NC State).

Furthermore, similar to Azzi, Miles is playing alongside a teammate who - albeit just 12 games into the season - is playing better than Olivia is: Marta Suarez. Suarez is not only scoring better despite playing four fewer minutes per game, she is currently one of the very few members of the 50/40/90 club in Division 1 (at 55.4/44.3/90.4). Furthermore, Suarez played extremely well against Richmond and NC State lighting up the scoreboard with 24 points on 9-14 FG/6-10 3PT against the Spiders, and 26 points on 10-18/4-8 against the Wolfpack.

I agree with other posters who predict Azzi will make the WCBA First Team if she continues forward healthy, knock on wood. As far as 1st Team AP, after just 10 games, I think she is a frontrunner there as well.

 

[choochoo]

I agree she’s having a great year and that she and Sarah are frontrunners for NPOY but there is a young woman from Iowa State that is beginning to get some buzz for that award as well.

and who would that be pray tell?

 

[oldude]

and who would that be pray tell?

Audi Crooks, the leading scorer in the nation.

 

[BBallF]

The thing about Azzi that cannot be stressed enough this year is her defense. She is the best 2 guard defensive player in the country at the least. Rewatch the USC game and the merciless job she did on the next great thing. Does everyone realize how hard it is to have to shut down the #1 recruit in the country and still lead the team in scoring for the night? The energy level required is off the charts.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I'd like to see Azzi doing some commercials. She's a natural: She presents well, including in business attire, and has a sweet disposition.

Oh, she's fun to watch play basketball, too.

 

[DefenseBB]

I agree she’s having a great year and that she and Sarah are frontrunners for NPOY but there is a young woman from Iowa State that is beginning to get some buzz for that award as well.

There is ZERO chance Audi will win the POY award…even while the Big 12 is fairly weak this year, ISU will not go undefeated in Conference play and Audi will not be leading the country in scoring when all is said and done.

She will garner serious support for the 5 member AP team and will most likely be on the 10 person WBCA team…

 

[BBallF]

There is ZERO chance Audi will win the POY award…even while the Big 12 is fairly weak this year, ISU will not go undefeated in Conference play and Audi will not be leading the country in scoring when all is said and done.

She will garner serious support for the 5 member AP team and will most likely be on the 10 person WBCA team…

I tend to agree except that Megan Gustavson won the Naismith for Iowa by averaging 28 and 13 in 2019. Her team won the Big Ten tourney but got knocked out in the Elite 8 and finished 29-7, not an unlikely predictably similar record for Iowa State this year. We have to remember that there will be Azzi, Sarah, Booker, Betts, and Hidalgo in the hunt. It will depend I think on who the 4 Finalists are.

 

[fomalhaut]

Only four players have won the Wade Trophy while leading D1 in scoring average: LaTaunya Pollard, Jackie Stiles, Seimone Augustus, and most recently Caitlin Clark.

 

[Geew1992]

There is ZERO chance Audi will win the POY award…even while the Big 12 is fairly weak this year, ISU will not go undefeated in Conference play and Audi will not be leading the country in scoring when all is said and done.

She will garner serious support for the 5 member AP team and will most likely be on the 10 person WBCA team…

Also, doesn't do much else to help the team except score.

 

[oldude]

Also, doesn't do much else to help the team except score.

I’m going to disagree. Crooks is a unicorn. She is extremely effective on offense where she either buries her defender under the basket and scores easily with either hand or, if a team attempts to front her on defense, she has wonderful hands, catching all manner of good & bad entry passes for an easy layup. When she’s doubled, she is an excellent passer out of the post, typically to a wide open teammate.

On defense, her footwork is excellent and, she is a solid defender and excellent rebounder. She may not be a NPOY. But I would certainly make her a 1st team AA if she continues to play the way she has for the remainder of the season.