How Azzi Fudd Became Basketball's Princess
Azzi Fudd is easy to root for. It’s not just because of her silky-smooth jump shot or her tenacious defense, which make her one of the brightest stars in women’s college basketball. Or because her undefeated UConn Huskies are cemented as the number one team in the nation. Or because the 23-year-old is projected as the number one pick in April’s WNBA draft. It’s her aura that captivates you.
“Confidence to me, I would describe it as self-trust,” Fudd tells SELF after a three-hour practice in mid-January when we speak over Zoom. “I do feel like this is the most confident I’ve been on and off the floor.”
You can see the confidence. A season after winning the NCAA Championship and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, the guard is averaging career highs in virtually every statistical category. Off the court, her more than 1 million social media followers are captivated by her megawatt smile and breezy personality. The combination of her chronic TikTok presence and near-perfect gameplay fueled her rapid rise in popularity.
It was easy to notice when I attended last December’s matchup against the USC Trojans in Los Angeles. Thousands turned out to cheer for UConn, a school almost 3,000 miles away. Fans sporting jerseys with Fudd’s number, 35, flooded the sold-out arena. Young girls dotted the tunnel in hopes of a photo, a glimpse, or a high-five from Fudd. When the guard’s name was announced during the starting lineups, she received the loudest roar. Even the USC usher for section 119, where I sat amongst screeching UConn fans, couldn’t contain her glee when Fudd swished a three-pointer. She clapped and yelled, “Let’s go, Azzi!”.
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