STORRS, Conn. — Amid the hoopla surrounding head coach Geno Auriemma and associate coach Chris Dailey’s record-breaking victory, it would be easy for things to slip through the cracks.
Azzi Fudd is not one of those things.
Fudd was originally supposed to be back in December, but a few days before UConn’s 85-41 victory over Fairleigh-Dickinson, she came into Auriemma’s office and gave him a new date: the 20th. november. That same day, UConn was scheduled to celebrate its coach’s historic milestone of 1,217 wins.
“I thought everyone was here for Azzi Fudd Day,” Auriemma joked after the game. “I was happy to be part of his celebration.”
It’s been over a year since UConn fans last saw Fudd in action, and they were more than ready for his return. Fudd saw limited court time during her three years at UConn, playing in 42 games in total, but the guard has garnered support and enthusiasm since signing with the Huskies in 2021.
Amid the signs for 1,217 and the sea of red shirts celebrating his 40th birthday — the ruby’s birthday — Fudd also received some love from fans. One student wore a shirt with photos of Fudd and Paige Bueckers and the caption “We’re so back.”
A murmur of cheers erupted as Fudd approached the scorer’s table to take part for the first time. And when his name was announced, the cheers went from silent to erupting.
His first points came at the free throw line with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Fudd walked over and emptied them both.
“I had so much nervous excitement,” Fudd said of the moment. “I was talking to Paige (Bueckers) before the game about how I just wanted to play.”
Fudd told Bueckers she was nervous about missing all her shots or playing poorly. Bueckers reassured her that those things didn’t matter, what mattered was that she would be back on the field.
“I was just grateful to be out there again,” Fudd said. “I’m so happy to play with my teammates again.”
She made two 3-point attempts in the quarter that didn’t miss, and both attempts were met with held breath and then loud sighs from the spectators.
Fudd recorded his first basket with four seconds left in the third quarter. She stole the ball near half court and converted a quick layup on the other end.
Fudd played just 12:27 in the game and finished with four points as UConn got her back into action.
But from the cheers she received after converting the layup, you’d think she’d scored 50 points. That’s how much the UConn faithful have been waiting for his return.
A healthy Azzi Fudd is one of the best players in the country. She could also be the key to UConn ending its eight-year national championship drought.
“She changes our team,” Auriemma said. “It makes us better. She gives us what we need. It won’t show this week or next week, but once we get acclimated, we’ll be a different team.
In his three partial seasons, Fudd averaged 13.1 points on 44.9% shooting from the field, 38.6% from the 3-point line and 90.6% from the free throw line.
And at the start of this season, before she even knew when she would play, Fudd felt confident.
“I feel really good, I feel really strong,” Fudd said at Big East media day earlier in the month. After a year of rehabbing his injury, Fudd knew his return to the field was nearing.
When she entered the field for the first time on Wednesday, a huge smile appeared on her face. And when the PA announcer said the words “match check…Azzi Fudd,” she knew something else.
She’s so back.
