UConn commit Fudd named National Player of the Year
SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday came another reminder that no matter how good UConn is now, they might even be better in the future.
Azzi Fudd, the topranked prospect in the Class of 2021 and a future Husky, was named the Morgan Wootten Girls High School Player of the Year.
“It was an honor, especially after this rough year,” said Fudd, who’s in San Antonio as part of the Who’s Nxt All-American Game. “Everyone’s had a rough year, but for us, we didn’t really get a season. The up and down, the uncertainty, being able to have this award meant a lot to me.”
Fudd attends St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., which did not play an official season because of the ongoing pandemic, only scheduling a few exhibition games.
“It just wasn’t how I ever imagined my last year of high school being, even if you had asked me recently how the last couple of months would go,” Fudd said.
Fudd, tabbed as another “can’t-miss” talent, signed with UConn on Nov. 11, her 18th birthday.
“Even at the beginning of COVID, I was still hopeful that we’d get to have an AAU season, a high school season,” she said. “That motivated me to work really hard. Obviously none of that really happened, but I still had faith and I’m still excited for what’s to come next.”
Fudd has kept close tabs on her future school, even attending the regular-season finale against Marquette in Storrs. She’s good
friends with UConn star Paige Bueckers, whom she FaceTimed Monday after the Huskies beat Baylor in the Elite Eight.
“It’s a really fun group of girls. There was a lot of screaming,” Fudd said with a laugh.
Fudd is currently recovering from a sprained left foot, which will prevent her from playing alongside future UConn teammates Amari DeBerry and Caroline Ducharme in the AllAmerican Game. She’s been limited to shooting and ball-handling workouts, but hopes to get out of her walking boot soon.
The trio plans to attend UConn’s Final Four game
on Friday against Arizona (9:30 p.m., ESPN).
“I was supposed to go last year,” Fudd said. “I was really excited to see (Sabrina Ionescu’s) last run and all those seniors, so that makes this year extra special and exciting.”
Fudd won the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2019. Following ACL and MCL injuries to her knee, she returned to average 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 2020 before the season ended prematurely due to COVID-19.