SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday came another reminder that no matter how good UConn is now, they might even be better in the future.
Azzi Fudd, the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2021 and a future Husky, was named the Morgan Wootten Girls High School Player of the Year.
“It was an honor, especially after this rough year,” said Fudd, who’s in San Antonio as part of the Who’s Nxt All-American Game. “Everyone’s had a rough year, but for us, we didn’t really get a season. The up and down, the uncertainty, being able to have this award meant a lot to me.”
Fudd attends St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., which did not play an official season because of the ongoing pandemic, only scheduling a few exhibition games.
“It just wasn’t how I ever imagined my last year of high school being, even if you had asked me recently how the last couple of months would go,” Fudd said.
Fudd, tabbed as another “can’t-miss” talent, signed with UConn on Nov. 11, her 18th birthday.
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MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY - APRIL 05: St Johns Cadets guard Azzi Fudd (35) during the Geico National High School basketball tournament semifinal round game between the Centennial Bulldogs and St. Johns Cadets on April 5, 2019 at Christ the King High School in Queens, NY (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30 : From left to right Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme who both plan to attend UCONN watch during the three point shooting contest on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UConn commit Azzi Fudd waits to take her 3-point shots on Tuesday during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis.
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UConn commit Azzi Fudd waits to take her 3-point shots on Tuesday during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis.
UConn commit Azzi Fudd shoots 3-pointers on Tuesday during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis.
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who plans to attend UCONN takes a 3 point shot on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: From left to right Azzi Fudd and Caroine Ducharme who plan to attend UCONN eat dinner together on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who is ranked the number one girls high school basketball player in the United States is introduced in player introductions on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who is ranked the number one girls high school basketball player in the United States is introduced in player introductions on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who is ranked the number one girls high school basketball player in the United States is introduced in player introductions on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who is ranked the number one girls high school basketball player in the United States is introduced in player introductions on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who is ranked the number one girls high school basketball player in the United States is introduced in player introductions on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Azzi Fudd who plans to attend UCONN takes a 3 point shot on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30 : From left to right Azzi Fudd in pink and Caroline Ducharme in black top who both plan to attend UCONN watch the UCONN NCAA game on television while taking a break on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30 : From left to right Azzi Fudd in pink and Caroline Ducharme in black top who both plan to attend UCONN watch the UCONN NCAA game on television while taking a break on March 30, 2021, during the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 1: Azzi Fudd #35 of St. John's dribbles in front of Jadyn Donovan #0 of Sidwell Friends during the first half at George Washington University in Washington, DC on March 1, 2020. (Photo by Will Newton for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 1: Azzi Fudd #35 of St. John's reacts after receiving the MVP award after defeating Sidwell Friends for the DCSAA Class AA Basketball Finals at George Washington University in Washington, DC on March 1, 2020. (Photo by Will Newton for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Azzi Fudd #35 of St. John's in action against the Centennial in the semifinal of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 05, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 06: Azzi Fudd #35 of St. John's in action against New Hope Academy in the championship game of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 06, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
UConn commit Azzi Fudd (35) of St. John's drives to the basket against New Hope Academy in the championship game of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 6, 2019 in Middle Village, N.Y.
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 06: Azzi Fudd #35 of St. John's in action against New Hope Academy in the championship game of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 06, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY - APRIL 06: St Johns Cadets guard Azzi Fudd (35) during the Geico National High School basketball tournament championship game between the New Hope Tigers and St Johns Cadets on April 6, 2019 at Christ the King High School in Queens, NY (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Even at the beginning of COVID, I was still hopeful that we’d get to have an AAU season, a high school season,” she said. “That motivated me to work really hard. Obviously none of that really happened, but I still had faith and I’m still excited for what’s to come next.”
Fudd has kept close tabs on her future school, even attending the regular-season finale against Marquette in Storrs. She’s good friends with UConn star Paige Bueckers, whom she FaceTimed Monday after the Huskies beat Baylor in the Elite Eight.
“It’s a really fun group of girls. There was a lot of screaming,” Fudd said with a laugh.
Congrats to our very own Azzi Fudd (@azzi_35 ) for being named the 2021 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year
Fudd is currently recovering from a sprained left foot, which will prevent her from playing alongside future UConn teammates Amari DeBerry and Caroline Ducharme in the All-American Game. She’s been limited to shooting and ball-handling workouts, but hopes to get out of her walking boot soon.
The trio plans to attend UConn’s Final Four game on Friday against Arizona (9:30 p.m., ESPN).
“I was supposed to go last year,” Fudd said. “I was really excited to see (Sabrina Ionescu’s) last run and all those seniors, so that makes this year extra special and exciting.”
Fudd won the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2019. Following ACL and MCL injuries to her knee, she returned to average 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 2020 before the season ended prematurely due to COVID-19.
