“Where are those pics?”: Paige Bueckers demands answers as Azzi Fudd surprises UConn teammates and fans

Azzi Fudd surprised her fans and UConn teammates by sharing back-to-back posts on Instagram. Known for being the least online player on the Huskies roster, the guard gave followers a glimpse of her summer through her photos.

After posting on Sunday images from her time at the New York Fashion Week, Azzi Fudd shared more pictures on Tuesday with the caption:

"Ok fine, here’s more 💁🏽‍♀️."

While most of her teammates expressed shock in the comments, Paige Bueckers was not satisfied with the photo dump and asked for even more photos.

"Wait didn’t you gon a (sic) cruise this summer too? Where are those pics?" Bueckers wrote.

Paige Bueckers' comment on Azzi Fudd (Credits: Instagram/@azzi35)

After being sidelined last season with an ACL tear, Azzi Fudd is progressing toward playing. The red-shirt junior has not been given the green light for her return yet, but UConn coach Geno Auriemma shared that Fudd could see action sometime this month.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she's going to be with us during that time," Auriemma said. "She looks great. She feels great. She's confident. It's just the world we live in today, there's more of, 'Let's be cautious.' We've been through that scenario."

UConn coach Geno Auriemma comments on the Azzi Fudd-Paige Bueckers duo

When Azzi Fudd joined the Huskies in 2021, fans were excited to see how she would mesh with Paige Bueckers who was coming off a successful freshman season. However, injuries kept Bueckers from consistent play. Meanwhile, Fudd put up great performances as a freshman.

The next season, Bueckers sat out with an ACL tear, and last season, it was Fudd who was sidelined. Fans have yet to see the two in action together, and this season may finally be the chance.

While Coach Geno Auriemma is aware of the excitement surrounding his two players, he's cautious with his expectations.

"I've almost forgotten what that could look like, or should look like, or have an imagination of, 'Wow, I've seen them at their best together,' and I'm anxious to see that again," Auriemma said. "It's really an unknown at this point.

"We've seen a lot of one or the other, but we have only seen a glimpse of the combined action together. Maybe expecting it to be super natural or super worldly is a little bit too much too soon."

The UConn Huskies' season is off to a great start as they won the season opener against Fort Hays State. Now, the team just awaits the return of its recovering players, including Fudd, to strengthen the lineup.