Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers' symbiotic relationship: How UConn stars 'went through adversity' together and learned from each other

Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers delivered for the UConn Huskies on Sunday, combining for 31 points in their 67-41 win over the Providence Friars at the XL Center. During the postgame press conference, they opened up about their relationship and how it helped them overcome adversity.

Fudd and Bueckers both suffered knee injuries during their time with the Huskies, forcing them to miss an extended period.

Fudd shared that she gained inspiration from Bueckers after seeing the UConn star maintain a positive outlook in practice despite suffering the devastating ACL injury.

"Both of us have gone through similar stuff. I can say that watching her go through her injury while I was playing kind of motivated me to fill her shoes," Fudd said (Timestamp 4:21).

"Then when I got hurt the following year, having seen her go through her entire rehab process and just the way she held herself. The way she went about her rehab every single day, kept her head high," Fudd said.

Fudd also expressed how inspiring it was to witness Bueckers' impact on the team, even when she wasn't playing.

"She was still such a key piece to our team without even playing. That really inspired me all of last year while I went through my rehab process."

Paige Bueckers echoed Fudd's sentiment, highlighting not only their tight bond but also the closeness of the entire team.

"I feel like we’ve relied on each other just for strength. That’s been me, Azzi and the whole team with everything that we’ve went through," Bueckers said.

"Like she said, having experienced a lot of the same things, going through adversity together, seeing each other go through it. Just to be able to motivate each other ... We’re just all there for each other, to support each other in any way possible."

Fudd and Bueckers only have a few months remaining playing together at UConn, and they said are making the most of this precious time.

"We don’t want to take these moments for granted. Obviously, the past didn’t go the way we wanted, but you can’t change that for the future," Bueckers said.

"Our ability to help each other stay in the present, take nothing for granted, and take advantage of what we have now, I think we do a great job with that."

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd lead UConn past Providence in Big East clash

The No. 7 UConn Huskies returned to winning ways after their 72-70 loss to the USC Trojans on Dec. 21, recording an emphatic 26-point victory over the Providence Friars.

Paige Bueckers starred for the Huskies in the rout, scoring a game-high 23 points. She helped UConn take a commanding 45-19 lead at the break, recording 19 points in the first half.

UConn Huskies players Paige Bueckers (#5) and guard Azzi Fudd (#35) warm up before the exhibition game against Southern Connecticut State University at Gampel Pavillion. Photo: Imagn

Azzi Fudd started for the first time since suffering a knee sprain in the game against Louisville on Dec. 7. She scored eight points for the Huskies, who improved their overall record to 11-2.