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Aside from Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd was a notable name on UConn's roster who could make the jump to the WNBA. As they continue their quest for a national championship, the four-year guard made a major decision regarding her future.
On Tuesday afternoon, reports emerged that Fudd will not be entering her name in the 2025 WNBA draft. Instead, she'll return to college for a fifth and final season.
Shortly after Azzi Fudd's announcement hit social media, WNBA fans poured in with their thoughts on her spending one more year in college:
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Most fans applauded the decision, feeling this was the best move for her basketball career long-term.
"She has to! She woulda got drafted 2nd or 3rd round and not even make a roster and have to play overseas lol." One fan said.
"Good Decision by Azzi. 2026 class is getting deeper." Another fan said.
Fudd appeared in 30 games this season, averaging 13.4 points and 1.8 assists in that time. She'll now attempt to aid Bueckers as UConn is just four wins away from a national title.
Azzi Fudd details why she opted for final college season over the WNBA
Along with making a social media post to make her announcement, Azzi Fudd also sat down with ESPN's Alexa Philippou to discuss her decision. During her interview, she opened up on why she is opting to spend one final season at UConn.
The primary factor in Fudd's declining to go pro is her development. She feels having one more season at UConn under her belt could help her game reach new heights before making the jump to the pros.
"Fudd is eligible to leave for the upcoming WNBA draft, where she likely would have been a first-round pick, but told ESPN that she believes spending one more year at UConn will allow her to 'work on everything I need to work on' and take her game to a new level."
Later on in the interview, Azzi Fudd also cited talking with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma as a driving factor. He echoed some of the things she was already feeling, stating that she still hasn't reached her ceiling with the program.
Prior to making her announcement, Fudd was seen as one of the top prospects in the 2025 draft class. Recent mock drafts had her coming off the board in the top 10, where she would have joined Paige Buckers.
Fudd's game has steadily improved over her first four years at UConn. Looking ahead to next season, she'll be able to grow her game in new ways. With Bueckers no longer leading the charge, she has a chance to improve her stock by showing leadership qualities.
