Azzi Fudd once revealed the toughest player she faced in high school or AAU

Azzi Fudd has encountered many talented players throughout her career in women's basketball. Among them, only two stood out to her as the toughest she has faced in high school or at the AAU level.

She uploaded a video on her YouTube channel in April 2020 that featured herself and Paige Bueckers. They are now teammates on the UConn women's basketball team, showing how much their friendship has grown since then.

The video followed a 20-question format. One of them involved the toughest player they have ever faced in high school and at the AAU level. Fudd named two people she believed were deserving of that honor.

"I would have to say Ashley Owusu or Paige (Bueckers)," Fudd said.

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Azzi Fudd slowly returning to form for UConn following injury

Azzi Fudd is two games removed from a knee sprain injury that sidelined her since Dec. 7 before returning on Dec. 21 in No. 7 UConn's matchup against and the No. 4 USC Trojans.

Coming out of the Christmas break, Huskies coach Geno Auriemma relfected on her progress since returning on Saturday. He notes the progress he's seeing from one of the more important players on the squad, indicating that time will be key for her to be in the best form she can have.

"Certainly more so. Certainly more so than she was the other day," Auriemma said.

"A couple of practices isn't really going to get you ready to play, so I think getting away and giving it an extra four or five days. ... I think all that, mentally, makes her a little more comfortable knowing that there has been enough time for it to be 100%."

Sunday featured UConn's latest matchup against the Providence Friars, cruising to a 67-41 victory at the XL Center.

Fudd played for 24 minutes, finishing with eight points and shooting 3-of-11 from the field and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. She's averaging 8.3 points and 2.1 rebounds on 41.5% shooting overall and 32.1% from 3 after seven games this season.

With the 2024 slate now complete, Azzi Fudd and the No. 7 Huskies (11-2) can prepare for 2025, with their next matchup being against Marquette at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on New Year's Day at 2 p.m. ET.