Geno Auriemma describes UConn star Azzi Fudd as a ‘perfect basketball player’

The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team has a crucial game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday.

While No. 2-ranked UConn certainly has enough elite talent and roster depth to defeat No. 9-ranked Notre Dame, they will have to play without star guard Azzi Fudd, who is sidelined due to a knee sprain suffered during the Huskies’ Dec. 7 game against Louisville.

Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma had high praise for Notre Dame’s guards before Thursday’s game.

However, some comments he made during a Dec. 10 appearance on the UConn Radio Network with Bob Joyce show he still has a fondness for Fudd.

“She is one of the best conditioned athletes we had at UConn,” Auriemma said of Fudd. “So it’s crazy that all these things keep happening to her. But for a basketball player, she’s just incredibly well positioned.”

“For example, if you were to build the perfect basketball player, this is what he would look like,” Auriemma added.

“That’s why we encourage her every time she touches the ball to force the action, make a play and not give the defense a break by passing it back. When you take the ball, you’re in attack mode and either they go.” They have to try to guard you one-on-one – which they can’t do – or they have to double-team you, which is… something for someone else opened.”

It’s a shame fans won’t be able to see Fudd in Thursday’s game against Notre Dame. But considering how exceptional both teams are, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them meet again deep in the 2025 NCAA Tournament when Fudd is healthy again.