UConn’s shooting guard Azzi Fudd is gearing up to make sure her final year in college turns out to be one to remember. Well, you might recall that back in April, she hit the 1,000-point milestone in just 76 career games. She came into the national championship game with 990 points, then dropped 13 in the first half against South Carolina to cross that mark. Guess what, though, the stakes have just gotten so much higher. She’s going to be playing a final season, eyeing a significant leap to the pros soon, just like her better-half and former teammate Paige Bueckers did.

None other than Sue Bird, a Huskies legend herself, handed the young gun a major shoutout. It comes with a piece of advice. “First and foremost, enjoy this last season. I feel like there are a couple moments, where it’s cliche to say like, ‘Make sure you’re soaking it all in,’ but this is one of those moments where, you know, it’s your last, right? Sometimes we don’t know what’s going to happen. You know, it’s your last year. So, I think you can definitely take a couple of moments here and there and just kind of look around and enjoy it all.” Bird shared her thoughts on the Fudd Around And Find Out podcast.

“It’s interesting like I would say when I look back on college, it’s some of the best years of my life. So much fun. You don’t have to worry about anything. I mean, you have to worry about school a little bit, but you don’t have to worry about anything else, but like your teammates, basketball, your friends. You get to have fun,” the WNBA legend continued.

Well, Azzi Fudd’s college career has been nothing short of remarkable. She clinched the 2025 NCAA National Championship title and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. On top of that, she led UConn in three-point percentage (43.6%) in 2024–25 and shone as one of the most highly-touted recruits. Bear in mind, this was on the back of a season-ending injury the prior year that cut her campaign short after only two games.

Recently, Azzi Fudd’s 1,000th-point game was remembered and made even more special by a touching gesture when HC Geno Auriemma presented her with the special game ball to honor the achievement. And why not? She reached the milestone in just 76 games, putting her in distant yet elite company with UConn legends like Maya Moore, who currently holds the program record with 3,036 points.

“Don’t think about it yet. It’s going to come. It’s going to come. You don’t have to worry about it. You’re already prepared for it. You’re going to be preparing for it this whole year. So, really just enjoy now,” Sue Bird concluded with a little piece of advice for the UConn ace.

Azzi Fudd immediately responded, affirming what the WNBA legend said, deeming it to be her “main goal” for her college year. While the youngster’s career has reached a point where she can be crowned a legend of her program in the future, the final hurdle is shaping up to be anything but easy. Luckily, she’s had help and been entirely open about it to everybody.

Azzi Fudd’s leadership skills could be a challenge in the upcoming season

While Azzi Fudd is famous for her sharpshooting and clutch plays, stepping into a vocal leadership role doesn’t come as naturally to the more introverted star. As an avid watcher of her games, you would understand how she’s historically been fine letting others take the reins. For instance, last season, Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen mostly filled that role.

Fudd recently opened up about her struggles with being more outspoken on the court. “There’s times when things won’t be going well in practice, and I’m like, ‘Oh, maybe we should huddle.’ And then I’m like, ‘Well, what would I say?’ And I’m like, Oh, maybe I won’t do it,” the youngster admitted.

Fudd’s style is a clear contrast to that of her girlfriend and former teammate Paige Bueckers, who was naturally loud and commanding before heading to the WNBA. Fudd, on the other hand, prefers leading by example, and she called that her “challenge” heading into the season.

Sue Bird also helped by sharing her perspective that leadership never came “supernaturally” to her. ” I like to like dip my toe in the water. I’m not the type to jump in,” the WNBA legend said.

Geno Auriemma’s side wrapped up the final exhibition game against DII Southern Connecticut State with a gigantic 66-point win. Fudd herself finished the day with 21 points, while sophomore Sarah Strong, who’s also set to play a huge role at UConn this season, had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Huskies officially open their campaign against No. 20 Louisville in the Armed Forces Classic on Tuesday at 5:30 pm on ESPN.