One of the biggest reasons for the UConn women's basketball team coming together at the right time to win the 2025 national championship was Azzi Fudd playing at such a high level. Her standout game on Feb. 16, on the road against South Carolina stands out as a moment that the Huskies became a clear threat to win the national title, and Fudd recalled the message that her teammate, Kaitlyn Chen, had for her after the game.

“This is why I came to UConn,” Azzi Fudd recounts her teammate, Kaitlyn Chen, saying to her after the win over South Carolina in February, according to Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider. “This is why I came to UConn. This is the Azzi I committed here to play with. Not the Azzi that played against Tennessee (Fudd had 10 points and was 3-of-9), I don't know who that was. I don't want to play with her again.”

Chen transferred to the UConn women's basketball program for her senior year after playing three years at Princeton. Fudd has always been a highly-touted player, a former No. 1 recruit from the 2021 class. However, despite showcasing high-end ability at various points over the years, she has dealt with injury woes in her college career.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) talks with head coach Jon Scheyer during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer drops truth bomb on Cooper Flagg’s Mavericks fitBenjamin Adducchio ·
Jim Calhoun waves to the fans. He coached UConn to three NCAA National Championships (1999, 2004, and 2011), seven Big East Tournament Championships, and is 11th all-time with 873 NCAA Division 1 victories. He also coached at Northeastern from 1972-86. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.
UConn legend Jim Calhoun shares wish for Thunder’s Mark Daigneault after NBA FinalsMiguel La Torre ·
Feature Image Tyrese Haliburton
Iowa State basketball sends 3-word message to Tyrese Haliburton after painful Game 7Dylan Fine ·
Mar 15, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Howard Bison head coach Kenny Blakeney speaks during the press conference
Kenny Blakeney, Howard University basketball to face DukeRandall Barnes ·
Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (3) celebrates after making a basket during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena.
Alabama basketball gets key starter back on medical redshirtRussell Steinberg ·
Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) dribbles the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Gainey (11) in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kentucky projected to break 15-year NBA Draft streakRussell Steinberg ·

UConn's 80-76 loss to Tennessee on Feb. 6, which was referenced by Chen, stands out as a turning point. The Huskies hit another level after that game, and just 10 days later, beating South Carolina 87-68 while Fudd scored 28 points, sent a clear message that they were a real contender.

Facing South Carolina again in the title game on Sunday, it was much of the same story, as Fudd stood out once again, scoring 24 points and securing the Most Outstanding Player award for the Final Four.

Fudd will be back at UConn next season, but the biggest x-factor in the Huskies winning this season was perhaps her hitting peak form. She had some help in the form of Chen along the way.