UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd named finalist for AAU Sullivan Award

UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd was named a finalist for for the AAU Sullivan Award on Wednesday, putting her in an elite class with the best amateur athletes in the country.

The Sullivan Award, established in 1930, is given annually to the most outstanding athlete across collegiate, Olympic or similar-level sports. Just six women’s basketball players have won in the award’s 96-year history, most recently former Iowa star Caitlin Clark in 2022 and ’23.

Fudd is one of 17 finalists for the prestigious honor and one of two women’s basketball players, joined by Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo. Two men’s basketball players, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Purdue’s Braden Smith, also made the list of finalists. The winner will be determined by a public vote and announced at the New York Athletic Club on April 7.

The only UConn player ever to win the Sullivan Award was Breanna Stewart in 2015. Former Huskies star Paige Bueckers was one of 38 semifinalists for the honor last year.

Fudd is having the best year of her career in her redshirt senior season, averaging 17.9 points, three assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.The star guard is flirting with historic efficiency, currently shooting 49% from the field, 45.4% on 3-pointers and 95% at the free throw line. She ranks third in the country in made 3-pointers with 88 and ninth in 3-point percentage. Her percentage is the highest of any player with at least 80 makes from the perimeter.

On top of her offensive production, Fudd ranks fourth nationally in defensive win shares and 10th in defensive rating.

Fudd and fellow Huskies star Sarah Strong are both on the midseason watchlists for the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award, and Fudd is in the top 10 for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award given to the nation’s best shooting guard.

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