Who is Azzi Fudd? What to know about UConn women's star for Final Four game vs. UCLA
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Unlike her co-star teammate, Azzi Fudd's collegiate career won't end following the 2025 women's NCAA Tournament.
However, just like Paige Bueckers, Fudd is seeking an uncharacteristically elusive national championship for the Huskies. No. 2 seed UConn takes on No. 1 UCLA in the Final Four.
The Huskies are in their 24th Final Four in program history, but are seeking their first national championship since 2016. However, a healthy Fudd and Bueckers give UConn as good a chance as anyone in the tournament, even with all four No. 1 seeds remaining.
Fudd, who played just two games during the 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL, has averaged 13.4 points on 48.6% shooting, two rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 30 games, including 26 starts.
During the NCAA Tournament, Fudd posted 27 points on 10 of 13 shooting, seven assists and six steals in a first-round victory over Arkansas State. Fudd had 17 points and two steals in the 91-57 win over South Dakota State.
Heading into Saturday's Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma, here's a look at what you need to know about Fudd, including stats and recruiting.
Azzi Fudd stats
Here's a look at Fudd's stats through her first four years in college with UConn:
- 2021-22: 12.1 points per game (45.7%), 2.7 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game in 25 games (17 starts)
- 2022-23: 15.1 points per game (45.6%), 1.9 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game in 15 games (10 starts)
- 2023-24: 11.0 points per game (32.0%), 2.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game in 2 games (2 starts)
- 2024-25: 13.4 points per game (48.6%), 2.0 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game in 30 games (26 starts)
Is Azzi Fudd eligible for WNBA draft?
Fudd was born on Nov. 11, 2002, making her 22 years old this season. While Fudd meets the WNBA's 22-year-old requirement to be eligible for the draft, she instead has opted to return to Storrs for one more season for 2025-26. Fudd will be out of eligibility following next season and should be a top pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.
She has dealt with injuries throughout her collegiate career, missing 11 games as a freshman due to a foot injury. Fudd was limited to 15 games as a sophomore due to a knee injury and then played just two games during her junior year after tearing her ACL.
The injuries have held her back from reaching her full potential.
"He said, 'I would say 10 games, maybe, you've played to your full potential of who Azzi Fudd really is and so you wouldn't do yourself justice leaving,'" Fudd told ESPN about her conversation with UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
Azzi Fudd height
Hidalgo is listed at 5-foot-11 on UConn's official women’s basketball roster.
Azzi Fudd recruiting
According to ESPN HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings, Fudd was the No. 1 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class and the top-rated guard. She attended St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., where, at 16, she became the first sophomore to win the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.
In the sixth grade, she received her first collegiate scholarship from Maryland. On her 18th birthday, she committed to the Huskies over offers from the Terrapins, UCLA, Louisville, Oregon, Kentucky, Texas and Notre Dame.
"I know that UConn will be able to push me to be the best player I can be," Fudd said of her decision to sign with the Huskies.