SPOKANE, Wash. — Caroline Ducharme has known Azzi Fudd since middle school, and for weeks, she anxiously awaited her friend’s decision on whether to stay at UConn or declare for the WNBA Draft.
“We were in the recovery tubs when she casually mentioned something,” Ducharme told CBS Sports. “I knew she had to decide before the tournament started either right before the first game or a couple of days earlier. I asked, ‘Did you make a decision?’ and she said, ‘Yeah, don’t tell anyone, but I’m staying.’ I was just relieved she had made up her mind and could focus on playing without that uncertainty hanging over her.”
For Fudd, finally making the call brought a sense of relief.
“Having that decision behind me, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “Now I can fully enjoy the rest of the season.”
Fudd’s locked-in mentality has been evident in the NCAA Tournament, where she has already racked up 44 points and eight steals in two games. Her impact is even more remarkable considering she hadn’t played in March Madness for the past two years due to injuries.
Paige Bueckers has been the face of the Huskies since her outstanding freshman year when she won all four major national player of the year awards. This season, she continues to lead the team in scoring, assists, and steals while contributing in ways that don’t always appear on the stat sheet.
Still, UConn became even more formidable once Fudd returned to form. Her presence was crucial in the Huskies’ statement win over South Carolina in February, where she fueled the offense with 28 points, including six three-pointers.
“She’s a great, humble person off the court, but on the court, she’s relentless,” said teammate KK Arnold. “She attacks from every angle and plays tough defense. She’s a leader by example, and once she gets rolling, we all feed off her energy.”
Beyond basketball, Fudd is also known for her fun-loving personality.
“She’s got so many quirks,” Ducharme said. “She seems super serious, but off the court, she’s the opposite. She even talks about her pre-game routine—she always takes a poop before a game. She’s very open about that, which not many people would be.”
As Fudd prepares to step into a leadership role, UConn remains in good hands. The program thrives on its “next woman up” mentality, but Bueckers’ departure will still leave a void.
“It’s hard to describe how much she’s meant to this team, both on and off the court,” Ducharme reflected. “I’ve never been at UConn without her. She’s been there for all of us, through the highs and lows. We’ll definitely miss her on the court, but even more off of it.”
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