“If you were going to build a perfect basketball player, that’s what it would look like”: Geno Auriemma makes bold claim about Azzi Fudd

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has come across many basketball players with remarkable skill sets that resulted in them going pro in the WNBA. He named a player he views perfect, currently on the Huskies' squad.

On the UConn Radio Network for a live interview from the iHeart Dunkin’ Music Lounge in Hartford, Connecticut, uploaded to YouTube on Dec. 10, Auriemma discussed the team's preparation for their upcoming matchups while complimenting the players who have stood out from the group. Azzi Fudd was one of them.

Despite injuries throughout her UConn career, Fudd has been effective whenever she is on the court. This season, she is averaging 10 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 50% shooting from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc after five appearances following a successful recovery from a torn ACL.

"That's why it's crazy that all this stuff keeps happening to her. But she's just so incredibly well put together for a basketball player. Like, if you were going to build like the perfect basketball player, that's what it would look like," Geno Auriemma said.

"So we encourage her every time she touches the ball to force the action. You know, make a play. Don't give the defense a break by passing it back. You know, when you take the ball, be in attack mode, and they're either going to have to try to guard you one on one, which they can't, or they're going to have to double team you."

Geno Auriemma praised Notre Dame guards ahead of Thursday's matchup

Before Thursday's game between the No. 2 Huskies and No. 8 Fighting Irish went underway, Geno Auriemma had some high praises to say about their opponent's backcourt of Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Sonia Citron.

"I think their three guards are so, so good. They're so aggressive offensively. They're so skilled offensively. They put so much pressure on you, pushing the ball up the floor, attacking the basket, being able to make shots. That's to me, those are the most difficult teams to play against," Auriemma said.

The guard trio has been crucial to the Fighting Irish's 7-2 start to the season. Hidalgo is averaging 24.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 steals, and 3.3 assists on solid shooting splits of 46.2% overall and 39.5% from beyond the arc.

Miles is putting up 17.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on 54.8% shooting from the field and 46.2% from downtown while Citron is providing 14.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

After the game against No. 8 Notre Dame, Geno Auriemma and No. 2 UConn will play Georgetown at the XL Center in Hartford on Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. ET.