The redshirt junior will return after missing almost the entire 2024-25 campaign with a torn ACL.
After sitting out the first three games of the season, Azzi Fudd is set to make her return from a torn ACL on Wednesday vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.
Soon? How about now.
Azzi Fudd is BACK. pic.twitter.com/8g0OoLg8Fi
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) November 20, 2024
Fudd suffered the injury in her right knee back on Nov. 14, 2023. She’s been steadily working her way back and has warmed up with the team in uniform during the first three games (plus the exhibition). Auriemma has been happy with what he’s seen from Fudd in practice.
“She looks really, really, really good. Really good,” he said ahead of Fort Hays State.
The redshirt junior will join a UConn backcourt that’s deep but is still finding its footing. While Paige Bueckers has led the way, everyone behind her has been inconsistent. Ashlynn Shade leads the team with 30.3 minutes per game and put up 25 points in the Huskies’ first two games before finishing with just three points against UNC. Kaitlyn Chen’s 15 assists are most on the squad, but so are her eight turnovers.
KK Arnold has yet to pop, scoring a total of 12 points in three games to go with eight assists and four steals. Morgan Cheli, Allie Ziebell and Qadence Samuels have played limited minutes so far.
When healthy, Fudd can be an All-American talent. The problem is she’s been sidelined for much of her collegiate career, playing in just 42 of a possible 115 games. As a sophomore, Fudd missed 22 games with a pair of knee injuries — which were likely precursors to the ACL — and sat out 11 contests as a freshman due to a foot injury.
UConn will tip-off against Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m. ET from Gampel Pavilion. SNY will have the broadcast.