Azzi Fudd Coolly Dodges Forming a Dynasty with Napheesa Collier & Co. in Shocking 3-Word Message to Her
In the ever-evolving landscape of women’s basketball, where college stardom often serves as a launchpad to professional dominance, few pairings spark as much intrigue as the hypothetical union of UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier. Both products of the storied Huskies program, their shared roots at Storrs evoke visions of a seamless synergy—a potential dynasty in the making. Yet, in a moment that caught fans off guard during a casual Tuesday evening chat on ESPN, Fudd delivered a razor-sharp, three-word rebuke that quashed the speculation with effortless poise: “Not happening, Phee.”
The exchange unfolded during a lighthearted segment hosted by ESPN’s Katie Barnes, where Fudd, the 5-foot-11 senior guard poised for a blockbuster 2026 WNBA Draft entry, joined for a game of “Dinger,” a fast-paced card-based challenge blending strategy and banter. As the conversation meandered from Fudd’s triumphant 2025 NCAA championship run—where she earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors despite opting to return to UConn for one more season—to her offseason training regimen, Barnes couldn’t resist probing the elephant in the room. With the Lynx riding high after a record-setting 34-win campaign and Collier cementing her status as the league’s reigning MVP frontrunner, the idea of Fudd landing in Minnesota via the draft felt tantalizingly plausible. After all, Collier’s efficient 50/40/90 shooting splits while averaging over 20 points per game had drawn unanimous praise, including from Fudd herself in prior interviews.
Barnes painted the picture vividly: Fudd, fresh off leading UConn to back-to-back titles, could reunite with her idol Collier in the Twin Cities. It wasn’t just about on-court chemistry—Fudd has long cited Collier as her favorite WNBA player, admiring her “perfect” mid-range game and unyielding competitiveness. In an August podcast appearance alongside her close friend and former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, now a rookie sensation with the Dallas Wings, Fudd gushed about Collier’s technical precision, saying, “Everything about Phee’s game is just perfect.” Bueckers, ever the playful counterpart, chimed in with her own nod to the Lynx star, recounting a season-opening matchup where Collier “tried to post me up like I was baby food.” The mutual respect was palpable, fueling fan fantasies of a Connecticut-to-Minnesota pipeline that could echo the Huskies’ legendary alumni networks.
But as Barnes slid the scenario across the table—envisioning Fudd suiting up alongside Collier, Lynx veteran Kayla McBride, and rising star Alanna Smith to chase a WNBA dynasty—Fudd’s response was a masterclass in deflection. Without missing a beat, her eyes locked on the cards in hand, she fired back, “Not happening, Phee,” before seamlessly pivoting to the game’s next play. The studio erupted in laughter, but the message landed like a perfectly arched three-pointer: crisp, confident, and closing the door on any premature dynasty talk. It was a shocking pivot, especially given Fudd’s history of effusive admiration for Collier, whom she once admitted left her “scared” on the court during pickup scrimmages. Yet, in that instant, Fudd revealed the cool composure that has defined her evolution from injury-plagued underclassman to UConn’s unflappable leader.
This isn’t mere banter; it’s a window into Fudd’s mindset as she navigates the final chapter of her college career. At 22, Fudd has weathered more adversity than most prospects her age. A string of knee injuries sidelined her for significant stretches in 2023 and 2024, forcing her to redshirt and rebuild not just her body, but her mental fortitude. Last season’s championship, however, marked a turning point. As Final Four MOP, she averaged 18.7 points across the tournament’s closing games, showcasing the silky pull-up jumpers and off-ball movement that make her a projected top-two pick in 2026. UConn coach Geno Auriemma, ever the philosopher, has called Fudd’s return “what makes us whole,” emphasizing her ability to elevate the team’s championship pedigree. In a recent preseason presser, he urged her to “owe it to yourself to have a full season of playing Azzi Fudd basketball,” a nod to the holistic dominance she’s only now fully embracing.
Fudd’s dodge of the dynasty question underscores a broader theme in her journey: control. She’s not one to get swept up in hypotheticals, especially when her focus remains laser-sharp on UConn’s pursuit of a 12th national title. The Huskies open their 2025-26 campaign with a statement win over No. 20 Louisville, 79-66, where Fudd tallied 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Notably absent from the court but beaming from the stands was Bueckers, whose courtside presence added a layer of nostalgia and motivation. The duo’s bond—forged through shared triumphs and trials—has been a cornerstone of Fudd’s support system, with Bueckers publicly rooting for her girlfriend’s senior swan song. Off the court, Fudd’s involvement in Napheesa Collier’s Unrivaled 3×3 league, where she inked an NIL deal alongside talents like Hannah Hidalgo and Lauren Betts, speaks to her savvy in bridging college and pro worlds without rushing the leap.
Collier, for her part, has been nothing but encouraging. The Lynx forward, who led UConn to the 2016 Final Four before becoming a five-time All-Star, recently opened up about Auriemma’s “secret sauce” for building dynasties: relentless mental toughness. In a podcast reflection, Collier recalled how Auriemma drilled IQ and resilience into her recruiting class after losing stars like Breanna Stewart and Kia Nurse, turning potential into perennial contention. It’s advice Fudd has internalized, evident in her preseason vow to “own my spot” after years of feeling like an outsider due to injuries. When Barnes’ question arose, it wasn’t dismissal—it was Fudd honoring that growth by staying present, not projecting into a future that could see her donning any number of jerseys, from Minnesota’s blue to New York’s orange.
The ripple effects of Fudd’s quip extend beyond the immediate buzz. Women’s basketball is booming, with the WNBA’s 2025 season shattering attendance and viewership records, thanks in part to Collier’s historic efficiency and the Lynx’s dominance. Fudd’s projected draft stock only heightens the stakes; scouts rave about her 40% three-point clip and defensive versatility, drawing comparisons to a young Sue Bird with Collier’s scoring polish. Yet, by coolly sidestepping the dynasty dream, Fudd reminded everyone that true legacies aren’t built on whispers—they’re forged in the fire of the moment. As UConn gears up for a gauntlet featuring South Carolina and Iowa, Fudd’s message to Collier wasn’t rejection; it was respect, laced with the quiet assurance of someone who’s just getting started.
In a sport where UConn alumni like Collier, Stewart, and Maya Moore have redefined excellence, Fudd’s path feels both predestined and defiantly her own. “Not happening, Phee” may have shocked with its brevity, but it encapsulated the guard’s essence: poised, principled, and profoundly unbothered by the noise. As the season unfolds, watch for Fudd to let her game do the talking—dynasties be damned, at least for now.
