"I probably would not share that with anyone because I'd be embarrassed": Azzi Fudd on being "self-aware" of her pre-game playlist
UConn standout Azzi Fudd led the No. 2-seeded Huskies to the national championship last week after her team blew out the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 in the title game on April 6.
Fudd led the Huskies' effort, tallying 24 points, five rebounds and one assist, which led to her winning the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player over teammates Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong.
During an interview with GQ Sports, while answering fan questions, the popular Fudd refuted a fan who proclaimed her pregame playlist the best on the Huskies team.
"Listen, I'm self-aware," Azzi Fudd said. "I know that is not true. It's a good pregame playlist for me, but I probably would not share with anyone 'cause I'd be embarrassed."
Azzi Fudd gets ultimate compliment from UConn coach
Before the NCAA Tournament, Azzi Fudd was enjoying an injury-free season with some career-high games but was still firmly behind Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong in terms of on-court production.
With Bueckers and Strong shining during the Big Dance, Fudd picked her moment and was the Huskies' star in the Final Four, averaging 21.5 points and getting named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
During a news conference after her performance in the national championship game, Huskies coach Geno Auriemma credited Fudd for UConn's success at March Madness (0:20).
"We as coaches felt like Azzi was the key to the tournament," Auriemma said. "That every game that Azzi played, we talked about in the locker room, just the coaching staff, we said that every time Azzi scores more than 16 points, we win every one of those games.
"And so, we thought if she could have an Azzi-type game, it didn't have to be a 20-point game like the one against South Carolina, that we would win. We kinda know what we're gonna get from Paige, we kinda know what we're gonna get from Sarah. So, Azzi became the focal point for us for who has to step up tonight. She did, magnificently, obviously."
During Thursday's segment of "Good Morning America," Fudd reacted to Auriemma's high praise for her role in the Huskies' national championship success.
"It's a tremendous compliment, because Coach does not hand out compliments easily, so when you do get one, you definitely want to savor it," Fudd said. "He doesn't sugarcoat things. He says what he believes, so it definitely means a lot."
Azzi Fudd will form a formidable bedrock for UConn alongside the talented Sarah Strong next season as the Huskies seek to defend their national title without Paige Bueckers.