Azzi Fudd Resurrects Her Game and UConn’s Final Four Swagger with a Vengeance
Tampa, Fla.
Azzi Fudd didn’t just return to the Final Four — she stormed back like a basketball phoenix, setting the hardwood on fire and torching any doubt that dared linger about her comeback.
In a game that will live in UConn lore for years, Fudd dropped a soul-snatching 19 points in the first half alone — nearly outscoring UCLA’s entire squad (22) during that stretch. When she banked in a three from the top of the key early on, UConn coach Geno Auriemma raised his arms high, soaking in what every Huskies fan was already feeling: Azzi is BACK.
And not just in body — but in rhythm, confidence, and full-blown killer mode.
Redemption Has a Name — and It’s Fudd
The story is already the stuff of sports legend. Fudd, once dubbed the future of women’s basketball, saw that future come to a screeching halt in November 2023 with a brutal ACL and meniscus tear in her right knee. She played just two games that season, her dream derailed before it even took off.
The rehab road was long and grueling — but she had help. Not just from UConn’s elite medical staff, but from the GOAT himself: Stephen Curry. His personal team of trainers built a custom recovery blueprint for Fudd, complete with drills, benchmarks, and mental resets. What we saw Friday night wasn’t just athleticism — it was science, heart, and hunger rolled into one.
Most players return from injuries. Fudd came back like she was rewriting her origin story.
First Half: Statement Made
Let’s talk numbers.
Three 3-pointers. A steal-and-score in the opening minutes. Smooth handles. Locked-in defense. Zero hesitation. This wasn’t the tentative Fudd we saw in the Elite Eight win over USC, where she struggled with just eight points on 3-for-14 shooting. She even owned that performance, saying bluntly, “I left that in Spokane. Tampa’s a new me.”
And she wasn’t kidding.
UCLA never had a chance. The Huskies steamrolled their way to an 85-51 victory — one of the most dominant Final Four wins in recent memory. The Bruins looked overwhelmed, outpaced, and outclassed by a UConn team that finally had all its weapons loaded. At the heart of it? A once-wounded star with a sniper’s eye and a point to prove.
Not Just a Shooter — A Spark
Fudd’s presence on the court is more than just stats. She changes everything.
When she hits at least three triples? UConn is 30-1. When she scores 15+? They’re 25-1. This isn’t coincidence — it’s correlation. She’s the gravity player. The spark plug. The one who forces defenses to stretch, scramble, and sweat.
Teammate Paige Bueckers — another icon in her own right — put it best:
“Azzi has worked her butt off to get to this point. Just the adversity she’s been through… all the good days, all the bad. But to shine on this stage, to be her best self — it’s beautiful.”
Fudd wasn’t just smiling after the game. She was beaming. That kind of joy only comes from suffering, sacrifice, and finally tasting the moment you dreamed of through all the pain.
The Title Game: A Grudge Match Brewing
Now, let’s talk drama.
UConn now heads into the NCAA championship game — and who’s waiting for them? None other than defending champs South Carolina, the same team that ended their run in the 2022 Final Four.
That loss stung. But this time? There’s a twist: Azzi’s playing.
South Carolina might be undefeated, but they haven’t seen this version of UConn. Not with Fudd back in elite form. Not with the Huskies this locked in. This rematch isn’t just about a trophy — it’s about revenge, resurrection, and reclaiming a legacy.
And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room — women’s basketball has officially arrived as must-watch TV. The rivalries are real, the narratives are gripping, and the talent is off the charts. Fudd’s story is the kind of content that breaks algorithms and crosses boundaries. It’s more than sports. It’s cinema.
The Takeaway
Azzi Fudd isn’t a comeback story. She’s a come-up story. One that reminds us all why we love this game.
She’s the reason little girls dream in jump shots. The reason grown fans still believe in second chances. And as UConn storms into the title game, one thing is certain — when Azzi’s in the building, anything is possible.
So mark your calendars. Set your alarms. Call your friends.
Because Sunday night?
Azzi’s not done yet.
