Fudd explains Bueckers inspiration for NCAA | Sports News

Azzi Fudd is drawing motivation from Paige Bueckers as she strives to information UConn towards one other national championship.

The Huskies captured a national title only one 12 months in the past, with each Bueckers and Fudd enjoying pivotal roles below Geno Auriemma’s management. However, Bueckers departed after being chosen No. 1 total in final season’s draft, while Fudd selected to stay at Storrs for one further 12 months, spearheading a Huskies squad with renewed championship aspirations.

As the NCAA event progresses, Fudd revealed how she takes cues from her former teammate during this closing championship pursuit. It comes as historical past March Madness historical past says solely 11 groups have actual shot at title, and a Duke star’s ‘horrible’ halftime interview shocked livid March Madness followers

“Oh, I mean, she’s someone that I look up to in so many different aspects,” Fudd shared during an Overtime interview, “but the way that she just went about all of last year, especially the end, how she handled the expectations, the pressure, her mindset, how she was able to perform, be a great leader, great teammate through it all.

“And on the finish of the day, nonetheless be herself. She did not change in any respect. That is so spectacular. So I positively acquired to be taught a lot from her. I’ll be attempting to, , be like her this month,” studies The Mirror US.

The pair are widely considered among the premier couples in women’s athletics, frequently demonstrating their mutual support when their commitments permit.

Most recently, Fudd traveled to Brooklyn to back Bueckers in Unrivaled, even as the Breeze endured a dramatic collapse against the Mist. Despite being in a relationship, Fudd seizes every chance to absorb knowledge about the game from her partner, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

“I’ve been capable of be taught a lot from her whereas she’s at UConn and whereas she was there this previous summer time. But simply studying, I imply, I really feel like the best way that she simply carries herself,” Fudd said of Bueckers.

“She’s a great particular person, a great teammate. The approach that she leads, the best way that she cares for her teammates. She was going to steer in a personal approach, so she is aware of, like, ‘Oh, I can discuss to you this manner, I can discuss to her this manner,’ and he or she’s at all times going to be there.

“I can push her this way, and I can pick her up this way.’ So I feel like what I learned from her was just the attention to detail that she had to things.”

With Fudd projected to be the No. 1 decide within the 2026 WNBA Draft, it presents an alternative to reconnect along with her accomplice following their time collectively at UConn. When Bueckers and fellow former UConn standout Aaliyah Edwards got here back to campus for coaching, the Huskies star acknowledged that seeing them again stirred up numerous feelings.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she began. “I feel like for the people who played with them, having them back, it’s like that bittersweet [feeling]. It’s like, ‘Aw, we miss you guys. We miss having you here.’ But it’s a lot of fun to have them back.

“Just the vitality they convey, and clearly, they make the pink staff a lot higher once they’re enjoying. And it is more of a problem for us, so it provides us higher competitors, various things to have a look at.”

Fudd and UConn are set to tackle UTSA within the opening spherical of the NCAA Tournament as Auriemma’s squad pursues one other national championship.