"Telling my kids this was Steph and Klay": UConn fans abuzz as Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd make it to Naismith Player of the Year Award watch list
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd added another feather to their caps as they featured on the Naismith Player of the Year watch list for the upcoming season. The duo featured alongside some of the biggest names in women's college basketball, including talented USC duo JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen.
Bueckers and Fudd, who have forged a special friendship during their college basketball careers as teammates, garnered the attention of UConn Huskies fans with the latest development.
The Huskies uploaded a post appreciating the duo's achievement on Instagram, which got fans to liken them to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who were dubbed the Splash Brothers during their successful tenure as teammates at the Golden State Warriors.
"Telling my kids this was Steph and klay," said one fan.
"Splash sisters loading," said another.
Another fan added, "WELL DUH!! the best duo in the world."
Other fans spoke about the Huskies' chances of winning their first national championship since 2016, believing it could be possible if the duo stayed fit throughout the season.
"These 2 stay healthy it should be another championship," said one fan.
"We bring home the chip this year," said another.
Another fan added, "They are THEM. iconic duooo loading," one commented.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd snap up Preseason All-Big East honors
The UConn Huskies dominated Preseason All-Big East honors, with four players featuring in the Preseason All-Big East team. Fudd was one of them, sharing the honor with Kamorea Arnold and Ashlynn Shade, while Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen earned an honorable mention on the team.
Although Paige Bueckers didn't feature in the team, she was named the Preseason Big East Player of the Year, with the Huskies projected to win the conference.
Bueckers and Fudd have rarely played together for Geno Auriemma's unit. Bueckers was out for most of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons owing to an ACL injury, while Fudd missed the 2023-24 season with an ACL tear in her right knee.
The 2024-25 season will be Bueckers' last chance to win the one title that has eluded her thus far: the national championship. The Huskies will begin the 2024-25 season with a home game against the Boston University Terriers on November 7.