Author’s note: Azzi Fudd was named Morgan Wootten Player of the Year on Thursday. The award, which McDonald’s presents annually as part of the All American Games, is given to the best male and female high school basketball players in the country. Fudd, who is currently finishing her senior year at St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC, will begin her college career at UConn this fall.
A few years later, she became one of the first girls to join Stephen Currys SC30 Select Camp.
With all of this in mind, it’s a bit of a surprise to learn that Fudd didn’t grow up with a basketball hoop in their driveway.
« I’ve always been to the gym anyway, so it wasn’t necessary having one at home, « the 18-year-old explained on Wednesday.
Last year, however, Fudd was without tires when COVID-19 switched everything off – until a family friend came in.
» We have a tire got from a friend of my mother’s, « explained Fudd. “Then my parents sprayed pink lines on the road: we have a three-dot line and a foul line and lane lines… I can’t thank this family enough because I don’t know what I would have done in quarantine if I couldn’t shoot at all. «
When Katie Fudd gave birth to her daughter in 2002, she decided to name her after a basketball player she admired: 1996 Olympic basketball gold medalist Jennifer Azzi.
» We were in San Francisco for a national flag soccer tournament on the go. And my mom was like, ‘Well, do you want to see if we can talk to her? ‘”Fudd mused.
Jennifer, who was training at the University of San Francisco at the time, stepped out of a meeting to take a picture with the young phenomenon.
She sent me an email the inscription: ‘Congratulations! We need another Azzi at the Olympics. Go ahead, keep working hard, « recalled Fudd.
» One of my biggest goals is to compete in the Olympics, « she said. « That’s one of the reasons I chose UConn because I knew they could prepare me for the next level. »
Earlier this week, Fudd watched her future college team along with Caroline Ducharme , another UConn commit, scored an exciting – and controversial – win over Baylor.
« We see it [on TV] and our hearts race and I think, » We’re not even there and we’re so nervous . Imagine what it will be like in a few months when we are there. «
Fudd will be a little closer to the action this weekend. She will be in San Antonio to watch the Women’s Final Four. And while Fudd has to watch this year’s event from the stands, she’s already planning for the next season.
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