UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has backed Azzi Fudd to “get even better” despite her recent struggles following her return from injury.

The Huskies guard missed three games after sustaining a knee sprain in the clash against the Louisville Cardinals on Dec. 7 – before making her return as a starter against USC on Dec. 21. The 22-year-old also missed the vast majority of the 2023-24 season after suffering an ACL tear.

As she continues her recovery from her latest setback, Fudd appeared to be somewhat rusty as she put in a mixed performance against Providence on Dec. 29. She contributed 8 points on 3 of 11 shooting on the night, while adding a single assist and a steal in her 24 minutes on the floor.

This came after the starlet drew a blank in terms of points scored in her eight minutes against USC seven days prior on her return from the sidelines. Overall, it was a positive outing for the Huskies at XL Center as they prevailed in a 67-41 victory to end the calendar year with a 11-2 record for the season.

Despite Fudd’s struggles on her first couple of appearances after her injury, UConn coach Auriemma is convinced that the player will soon find her groove again. Speaking after the win over the Friars in their final game of 2024, he asserted: “It’s good to get her back, good to get her out there and when she gets her legs under I think things will get even better.

“I think athletes like routine, they like to know what’s next and how do I prepare for what’s next and when you’re not sure, it’s difficult,” he continued. “Then you end up with more practice time than you actually do game time… hopefully it’s the last time we’ll have to go through anything like that.

UConn Huskies star Azzi Fudd has suffered an injury-hit past year as she steps up her recovery from another setback

UConn Huskies star Azzi Fudd has suffered an injury-hit past year as she steps up her recovery from another setback ( 

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Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“When she’s in the game, it’s always a threat, she might go four for four in a spurt and put the game away. So, it’ll come it’s just going to take a little bit of time.”

In addition to this vote of confidence in his player, he provided insight into the pressures Fudd has been under after an injury-hit past year. He said: “It takes a lot of time and it takes a lot of game action. And you see… moments where it’s what it could be.

“But I know a lot of times for kids early on in their careers, a lot of thinking about [things], and I know that’s a big part of [it]. I know she overthinks things… she overthinks things, and when you’re busy thinking, it’s hard to play. And if you can’t think, you can’t play. So basketball is a funny game that way.”

Auriemma added: “So right now, her head is getting in the way of her game, and I’m hopeful that… putting her in the starting lineup may help her in that regard.”