Mothers are often the unsung heroes behind sports prodigies, and for UConn’s rising star Azzi Fudd, that couldn’t be more true. Already hailed as one of Connecticut’s finest prospects, she’s holding her own next to standout Paige Bueckers.

However, what many fail to see is that behind every dribble and shot by the 21-year-old star, is the unwavering support of a mother who played the game at the highest level herself.

So, who is Katie Fudd, the influence behind Azzi’s career?

Katie Fudd—formerly Katie Smrcka-Duffy—was once a rising star in the basketball world. In fact, she began her basketball career at North Carolina State, where she earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 1997. This would allow her to become a standout recruit in the Washington area, around 25 years ago. Throughout her College career from NC State Uni to Georgetown, Katie would play a total of 121 games and score 2072 points while shooting 36.7 % from the three-point line.

At Georgetown, after becoming the second all-time leading scorer in the program, Fudd became the first Hoya to be drafted into the WNBA, joining the Sacramento Monarchs in 2001.

However, she was beset with multiple injuries including a harrowing knee injury due to a torn ACL which would lead the Monarchs to waive her in May of 2001. This would not deter Katie’s passion as she would then transfer to being a coach. In 2002, she gave birth to Azzi, naming her after 1996 Olympic gold medalist Jennifer Azzi, a player she greatly admired.

Katie Fudd, although now a coach, didn’t let her career define her passion for the game— now it extended to her family life and would influence her daughter Azzi and be a foundation for her career.

As Azzi grew up immersed in the world of basketball, she was surrounded by parents that were deeply involved in the sport. In fact, Katie and Tim Fudd, Azzi’s father, met while coaching at the Potomac School. Their relationship flourished on the court, and they eventually married in a gymnasium, while wearing Nike Huaraches—symbolic of their shared love for basketball. Azzi, just three years old at the time, witnessed the union that would become part of her own origin story.

Katie’s rock-solid support: The foundation behind Azzi’s success

If one were to sum up Katie Fudd’s role in Azzi’s career, it would be significant. In fact, if there has been a mainstay in Azzi’s basketball journey, it would be her family, especially her mom. One of Azzi’s low points in life was when she suffered a significant injury while competing at the FIBA U18 3×3 World Cup.

This injury would cause a tear in Azzi’s ACL and MCL, requiring two surgeries. It was at this time that Katie would use her experience to call on Dr K. Donald Shelbourne, who had previously helped repair her own torn ACL. During this daunting time too, Katie held Azzi’s hand every step of the way, while offering unwavering support.

In fact according to an interview with ESPN, during recovery, Azzi would look for Katie’s support by asking “How do I know if I’m ready to play?” who would reply with a simple “You’ll just know,” which would be a calm yet very reassuring response for Azzi who would soon return to warm-ups and drills with her St John teammates.

This bond that Katie and Azzi share has just become stronger. In fact, in an interview with ESPN Azzi would even recall how in times of vulnerability, she would seek her mother’s embrace, while stating that “She makes me feel better.” Now even at UConn, Katie along with Tim, often show up to support Azzi as she continues to make a name for herself. The couple prefers sitting across from the bench to watch the game, enjoying the view and the team’s banter. At this point, they are more than just parents—they are proud fans, invested in every step of Azzi’s journey.

If anyone still wants to know the significance of Katie’s influence on Azzi, they just need to take a look at her jersey, where the proud number 35 is emblazoned across her chest. This number happens to be Katie’s old jersey number, serving as a fitting tribute to the bond they share. It symbolizes not only Azzi’s heritage but also her aspiration to carve her own path to the WNBA, just like her mother did.

As Azzi ascends the ranks at UConn, her mother’s guidance will remain a central theme in her journey. In fact, there’s no better tribute to Katie than for Azzi to let her career serve as a testament to all the support she has received throughout her life.