The Huskies don’t have any Paige Bueckers lag.  After the point guard left as the No.1 pick in the WNBA draft last year, the leadership now naturally passes to Azzi Fudd. While the spotlight shone on Bueckers, Fudd was among the primary reasons for their 2024-25 National Championship win. 

The Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player dropped 24 points in the title game to cap off a memorable season. Now, going into the 2025-26 season, Fudd has made the mark even before tip-off, joining the most decorated phenoms like Caitlin Clark and Juju Watkins. Azzi Fudd has secured a place on the SLAM Cover. 

“National champ. 2025 Final Four MOP. The face of college hoops. Azzi Fudd has been SHIMMERING on and off the court. The nation’s best player covers SLAM 259,” announced the magazine. While it is an impressive achievement on its own, it is further accentuated when you learn that she is just the fourth women’s college basketball player and the first UConn star to earn a solo cover. “I believe she’s just the fourth women’s basketball player to get a solo cover while in college, joining Caitlin Clark (249), JuJu Watkins (248) and Chamique Holdsclaw (29),” wrote Hartfourd Courant reporter Emily Adams.

Juju Watkins was just a freshman when she was featured on the cover last year. But that was a statement that she was already the face of USC’s resurgence. When Clark was featured last year, she was already a household name and “the greatest show in basketball”, as Slam put it. Azzi Fudd, on the other hand, takes center stage at UConn on their quest to go back-to-back and continue their legacy as champions. 

It’s not Fudd’s first SLAM moment. She and Paige Bueckers shared SLAM 235 as freshmen, a cover built around their bond and on‑court telepathy from years of growing up in the game together. Think of it as UConn’s future backcourt, framed as best friends turned co‑stars, with the feature zeroing in on friendship, trust, and seamless chemistry that preceded their Huskies debut. 

This time, however, it focuses on Fudd’s contribution to their national title last year and the role she will take heading into her last season. Fudd’s booming NIL value and her caliber off the court have not been ignored as well. Despite becoming one of the faces of college basketball, she is still as grounded as ever. 

Azzi Fudd Doesn’t Care For The Spotlight

Azzi Fudd had the opportunity to enter the WNBA draft with Paige Bueckers as a potential first-round pick this year. However, after speaking with head coach Geno Auriemma, the 22-year-old decided to return for another college season. Without Bueckers, Fudd becomes the face of the program, as evidenced by her preseason achievements, like the Slam cover. Fudd is under pressure to deliver after setting high standards last year. However, Fudd has only one goal this season: soaking every minute of college basketball. 

“This year, I really want to embrace, not being in the spotlight, but being me and not caring about what other people think,” Azzi told Slam. “I know my teammates will accept me no matter what, so just embracing who I am. I want the word ‘embarrassed’ to be out of my vocabulary. I want to be proud of everything I do. I want to do everything I do with confidence and with passion.”

Fudd has bounced back from her ACL injury. She averaged 13.6 points per game in her junior season and was getting better as the year went along. She is one of the best shooters in the country, making 3-point shots at 43.6%. Fudd was also placed on the preseason All-American second team courtesy of those numbers. 

Fudd has the tools to go back-to-back. She is leading a loaded roster that features KK Arnold, Ice Brady, Serah Williams, and Sarah Strong. “Strong has a chance to be the best player in the country, and a healthy Fudd could give UConn two All-Americans,” wrote Charlie Creme of ESPN. As long as they perform at their best and disregard outside opinions that might distract them, like Fudd, UConn will get to where they want.