UConn has done it again! They’re national champions for the 12th time. Paige Bueckers’ incredible journey ends with the perfect fairytale finish. But Huskies fans have more reasons to smile. Even without Paige, the future looks bright. It’s Azzi Fudd’s time now—and even Caitlin Clark can’t help but admire the shooting guard’s game.

During UConn’s Final Four clash against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa, Azzi Fudd had no choice but to watch from the sidelines. She cheered on her team from courtside as the Huskies were humbled by the Hawkeyes. It was tough to watch. Azzi had missed all but two games last season due to a knee injury. And that wasn’t the first time—her freshman and sophomore years were also marred by injuries. She played just 17 games in the last two seasons!

Azzi Fudd finally got her moment this season. She played in 31 games and started 29 of them—both career highs at UConn. She averaged 13.4 points per game and knocked down 45.6% of her threes. Deadly from deep. With a fully fit Fudd and Paige Bueckers back, plus freshman star Sarah Strong, UConn looked scary. Even as the only No. 2 seed in the Final Four, it was the Huskies who were the odds-on favorites to win the dance.

All eyes were on Paige during the big dance. Her performances leading up to the Final Four were nothing short of amazing. But when it mattered most, Fudd stepped up. Fudd’s mom had turned up in Tampa wearing a “Fudd Around And Find Out” t-shirt, and UCLA and South Carolina definitely found that during the Final Four and the championship game. Azzi Fudd’s clutch play turned heads. Fans were hyped. But it wasn’t just them. Even Caitlin Clark had things to say about the UConn star.

During the Final Four, ESPN’s alternate broadcast, The Bird and Taurasi Show, was in full swing. Hosted by legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, the show brought in big names to talk about college basketball. And tonight’s guest? None other than Caitlin Clark. She joined the show and didn’t hold back on the praise for Azzi Fudd.

She said, “Well, I think I just admire her and her resiliency, the things that she’s been through, it’s pretty incredible… especially during the course of the NCAA tournament, how can you not be a fan of her?” Exactly! How can you not be a fan of someone who dropped 19 in the Final Four… and then followed it up with 24 in the title game?

Azzi Fudd was on fire. She stepped up when it mattered most. Hit big shots. Made big plays. And in the end, she walked away with the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Absolutely deserved. But while Clark showed love, she also had a little complaint. She was unhappy about the fact that Azzi wouldn’t be in the WNBA this season.

She continued, “I know she’s not coming out this year, but next year she’s gonna be pretty high on my draft board like I just think she’s one of those pieces that will come into the WNBA and will be able to translate right away.” Earlier last month Fudd revealed that she would come back to UConn for another year after a conversation with Geno Auriemma made her realize that she has much more to give.

“He said, ‘I would say 10 games, maybe, you’ve played to your full potential of who Azzi Fudd really is and so you wouldn’t do yourself justice leaving,’” Fudd recalls him saying. “You would leave here not doing what you could in a UConn uniform.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, he has a point.’”

There’s absolutely no doubt that when Fudd does enter the draft, she will be a lottery pick. She has all the qualities of a great player, and her jump shot is definitely one of the best in the game. Don’t believe me? Ask Steph Curry! “I think [Fudd] has more of a textbook jumper than anyone I’ve seen,” said Curry a few years back about the guard. A fully fit Azzi Fudd is one of the best players in the country!

That said, Caitlin also had some interesting things to say about UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, which might not sit well with the fans. Let’s take a look at what she had to say.

Caitlin Clark predicts Geno Auriemma will retire soon

In his 40th season at the helm, Geno Auriemma did it again. Championship number 12 is in the books. The legendary UConn coach just became the oldest coach across both men’s and women’s basketball to win a national title. He’s now 71. And his days might be coming to an end soon.

He has openly spoken in the past about having a few more seasons left in him before calling time. Even Caitlin Clark thinks next year could be his last.

When Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi asked Caitlin about Geno and when he could possibly retire, this is what Clark had to say. “It’s a tough question… this is year 40. He got through Paige. I think he’s got a soft spot for Azzi [Fudd]; I really think he does. I think he coaches one more after this with Azzi and then maybe he heads out.”

Only Geno Auriemma knows when he’ll retire. And the Huskies coach did mention something along the lines post-game. Admitting that he does have the drive to do the hard work, Geno put forth a situation. “Does that mean I can do this for another X number of years? No. There is going to come a time when the fun doesn’t eliminate how hard it is to do this job,” he said.

Well, that’s not a definitive yes or no. At best, it is Auriemma suggesting his legendary marathon could be close to the finish line. But for now, it’s all about celebrating in Tampa. No one in the UConn organization is thinking about retirement just yet. They’re soaking in the moment. And one thing’s for sure.

Auriemma has a chance to build another dynasty with Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong leading the charge. With talent like that, why wouldn’t he want to keep coaching the Huskies for the foreseeable future?