When the injury bug bit the Huskies, it took them out in a big wave. But luckily for Geno Auriemma’s players, the path to recovery has almost been completed. After a healthy Paige Bueckers returning to the court, there is also Azzi Fudd, who was only able to play two games last season before a knee injury took her out. But thanks to Stephen Curry’s team, her rehab is going better than imagined.

Discussing the 21-year-old’s journey so far, Mark Zanetto speaks on Locked on UConn. Using CT Insider journalist Maggi Vanoni’s latest article on Fudd for reference, Zanetto says, “She’s had the support of a specialized team, led by Stephen Curry’s Director of Performance, Carl Bergstrom, who took a very deliberate long-term approach to her recovery.” Vanoni labels this section of her article ‘Rehab Silver Linings.’

Fudd, along with Bueckers, was supposed to be the X-factor that would help the Huskies grab their record 12th championship when she arrived at UConn in 2021. The No. 1 overall high school recruit that year, Fudd has not yet played a full season in her college career with knee injuries derailing her play. This is why, Vanoni points out, her recovery process is so important.

“No rushing, no shortcuts, the focus was on making sure Azzi not only heals but comes back stronger for the rigors of basketball at this level, and for a future career in the WNBA and beyond,” says Zanetto. He also uses a direct line from Vanoni, “Bergstrom encouraged Azzi to “live in the plateaus” of the recovery.”

Thanks to an invite to Curry’s SC30 Select Camp at 15 years of age, he and one of Geno Auriemma’s star players have established a connection that often sees the Warriors star praising the W star in making. From sporting her jerseys at his own interviews to attending her games, Curry has had a major influence on Fudd’s career. “We try to find the silver lining in everything, and that was extra bonus time with her,” her mom Katie said.

The Huskies guard’s intense rehab routine included physical therapy to bring back her muscle strength after the surgery to repair her ACL. But as Vanoni also details, a lot of time was spent resting for recovery. It was perhaps one of the best choices the Fudd family could make to trust Stephen Curry on this matter, who has always been a big Azzi Fudd supporter.

NBA’s ‘Golden Boy’ is a huge fan of Azzi Fudd’s shooting form

Much has been said about Stephen Curry and his three-pointers and the WNBA has yet to find his match. Sabrina Ionescu did a brilliant job last year but in the end, in a contest against the King, it was the Golden State star who won. Nevertheless, maybe the W is just waiting for Azzi Fudd to make her debut in the next few years.

Before she had committed to UConn, Curry had complimented her shooting form to ESPN, “She can be going full speed and stop on a dime and have, like, a feathery release. I think she has more of a textbook jumper than anyone I’ve seen. Maybe Klay Thompson and Azzi Fudd. … You go Ray Allen, Klay Thompson, and Azzi Fudd, textbook. You would teach somebody how to shoot with their form.”

With her body in the final stages of healing now, Azzi Fudd’s imminent return to Storrs has fans excited. While she has not been practicing at full capacity just yet, the Huskies guard is excited to get back on the court with her team and maybe get them even further than the Final Four this year. “We’re almost there,” as Fudd said on Storrs Central yesterday!