Azzi Fudd has all the makings of a WNBA star. Last season, in a career-high 34 games, she averaged 13.6  points,2 rebounds and 1.8 assists while being the Most Outstanding Player in UConn’s national title win over South Carolina after scoring a game-high 24 points. Still, she told destiny to wait.

With the suggestion from her coach, Geno Aurriemma, Fudd came back to UConn for one final hurrah. Fudd would have possibly been a top 15 pick last season. While her fitness would have been a question mark, a fit season reaffirming her quality will do her draft stock a lot of good. Meanwhile, she will still earn loads from NIL. According to a July 2025 approximation from Fox Sports, Fudd was valued at $218,000. That valuation has likely increased since then. It is also more than what she would have earned in her rookie contract in 2025. 

“It’s such a blessing and an honor,” Fudd told Talia Goodman. “Sometimes it still doesn’t feel real that this is my life.” Another year on the books as the leader of the UConn team that could win the national title will boost her brand value even more. Fresh off a national title run alongside Paige Bueckers, Fudd insists the 2025–26 roster might be the strongest squad she’s ever been part of.“This team is super special…,” Fudd said. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve never had this many people available and this much talent.” 

The team is indeed stacked with talent. Replacing Paige Bueckers at point guard is KK Arnold, whom the program is placing their trust in. Then there is Sarah Strong, who set a Division I record for most points in a tournament by a freshman and has the potential of becoming one of the best players in the country. Jana El-Alfy, Ice Brady and transfers Kayleigh Heckel, Serah Williams make this a team heavily favored for a repeat. However, Fudd still feels playing together is a much different ball game, and their chemistry will play an important role.

Beyond just their team quality and the hunger to go back-to-back, NIL could have played a role in Fudd’s decision to come back. “I don’t really know college without NIL,” she said. “It’s a weird thought, but I can definitely see the progress that it’s made from my first year… not just in women’s basketball, but all women’s sports… Seeing women athletes get the recognition they deserve and having super cool partnerships with brands has been fun to see.” 

Fudd has benefited greatly from NIL, which has now put her in a unique position in women’s basketball.

Azzi Fudd well-positioned to be the next face of women’s basketball

Azzi Fudd has already taken over the college basketball scene. Fudd acquired a SLAM cover for the second time. However, this time it was a solo feature, which has only had Caitlin Clark (249), JuJu Watkins (248), and Chamique Holdsclaw (29) before her. Not even Paige Bueckers had a solo Slam cover in her dominant UConn career.  Heading into her final college basketball season, Fudd’s position as a guard puts her in a special position to become the face of women’s basketball. 

Speaking on No Offseason, The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, Zena Keita said, “I have an affinity towards these bigs (Lauren Betts and Joyce Edwards). However, high schoolers are like, “No, give me an Azzi Fudd, give me Juju, give me any of these point guards. These guards that are playmakers, versus just, you know, the bigs and such.” So I feel like there’s also an aspect of like what do we value in terms of the style of the game that they play, whoever the potential face is.” She also mentioned Sarah Strong, Fudd’s teammate, in the conversation. 

However, Fudd being her senior has one leg up over her. Juju Watkins will be missing the upcoming season after her ACL tear in March, so Fudd has little competition. Ben Pickman also had Fudd among the faces of the league. H also mentioned that she does not need to be the absolute best player in the country for that. 

“I think Azzi Fud and Flau’jae Johnson are the two players best positioned to be the faces of the sport this year. I think both of them are in the top 10 to 15 in terms of best players in women’s college basketball this year, both of them are in the top 10, say, in terms of WNBA draft picks going forward,” Pickman said. 

That is partly true. Of course, Fudd will aim to be the best player in the country, and she has the talent for it. However, if she shows up in big moments like last year’s final, her popularity and perception might go past her playing ability. Currently, she is projected to be a top 5 draft pick, and her overall performance will determine her final ranking. If Fudd becomes what many expect, that could easily translate into her brand value as a WNBA athlete.