Azzi Fudd praises Paige Bueckers' perseverance with a small "fault" asterisk: "She needs to take care of herself as well"

UConn stars Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers shared their thoughts following their Big East game against Providence on Sunday. At XL Center in Hartford, the No. 7 Huskies beat the Friars, 67-41.

Fudd and Bueckers, both senior guards, joined by a sophomore KK Arnold, spoke with the media about the game, the team's performance and their individual plays.

A reporter asked Fudd, who has known Bueckers for a long time, to share her perspective on Bueckers' drive and perseverance.

"She has a tremendous work ethic, but I honestly think it's her competitiveness. She doesn't do anything half-speed," Azzi said (6:45), "she does everything with her whole heart, all her effort, and all her energy. She does it with purpose and passion.

"That's something I really admire — the way she handled her rehab, the way she comes to practice, the way she leads this team — everything she does, she puts everything into it.

"And sometimes, that could be her fault honestly, because she's so giving and focused on looking out for everyone else on the team that she forgets to take care of herself as well."

Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers have been friends since high school. They first crossed paths at a USA Basketball camp while competing for the same position. Later, they went to the University of Connecticut — Bueckers in 2020 and Fudd in 2021 — and have since developed a close relationship.

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Azzi Fudd makes it into starting lineup for only third time this season

Azzi Fudd, an Arlington Virginia native, has had an up-and-down season due to injuries — an ACL injury kept her sidelined for her entire junior year.

She returned in Game 4 this season against Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 20 and played a few games off the bench before making it into UConn's starting lineup against Holy Cross earlier this month.

However, in her second start against Louisville, she suffered a minor sprain in her knee that further limited her playing time over the next few weeks.

Azzi Fudd played eight minutes in UConn's 72-70 loss to USC on Dec. 21. On Sunday, the 5-foot-11 guard made her way back into the starting five for only the third time this campaign.

She had a decent game, contributing eight points, one assist and a steal in 24 minutes of action. She shot 3-for-11 from the field and 2-for-6 from the 3-point range.

The Huskies travel to Milwaukee next to face Marquette on Jan. 1.