UConn star Azzi Fudd gets brutally honest on mental health journey after NCAA title win

Azzi Fudd and the UConn Huskies are at the top of the world right now. They reclaimed their spot atop the women’s college basketball scene by winning their 12th national championship.

Fudd was instrumental in helping coach Geno Auriemma bring the trophy home for the first time since 2016 to end one of the program’s most notorious championship droughts.

However, it wasn’t always easy. That’s why she teamed up with The Kevin Love Foundation to try and inspire other young students and athletes and get them to care about their mental health.

Azzi Fudd highlights the importance of mental health

“During a long season, I take care of my mental health by, one, surrounding myself with people who are going to push me, help me through the tough times,” Fudd said. “Two, talking to someone… It took me a long time to figure that out, but it was my first time doing that this year, and I think it helped tremendously. I wouldn’t have been as mentally stable as I have been. And then three, finding time to do little things that you enjoy. Whether taking a walk, listening to your favorite song, cooking something, having a sweet treat. Whatever it is, having that little thing that just brings you joy.”

Azzi Fudd

With Paige Bueckers now gone to the WNBA, Fudd will have to do plenty of heavy lifting for Geno Auriemma’s team, and she will be in the eye of the storm as well.

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Hopefully, she will continue to navigate all the pressure the way she’s done, and it’s nice to see that pro athletes are paying as much attention to their mental health as they do to their physical well-being.