Bold headline-grade tension is at play as Azzi Fudd grapples with bittersweet feelings when Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards walk back into the UConn gym.
Azzi Fudd opened up about her emotions this week as former teammates and her girlfriend Paige Bueckers returned to practice, bringing a wave of nostalgia and new possibility for the Huskies. Bueckers, alongside Aaliyah Edwards, rejoined UConn for a session that highlighted the strong bond the trio built during their time in Storrs, including multiple deep tournament runs and Final Four appearances.
For Fudd—who could, depending on the WNBA Draft Lottery results, soon be teammates with Bueckers again at the professional level—the reunion stirred complex, almost conflicting feelings. “It’s a lot of fun,” she shared, while also acknowledging that having them back on the court carries a bittersweet edge. The sense of missing them is real, even as their energy elevates the team and sharpens the competition for everyone involved.
Their return clearly injected a new dynamic into the practice, with Fudd describing how Bueckers and Edwards elevate the Red Team and push others to rise to the challenge. The energy shift provides fresh perspectives and a tougher, more stimulating training environment.
Not everyone was thrilled by Bueckers’ return in the moment. After Saturday’s practice, head coach Geno Auriemma lightheartedly compared the Dallas Wings guard to Dennis the Menace—a playful nod to a famously mischievous character from classic television—yet he stressed that both former Huskies integrated smoothly back into drills and teamwork.
Auriemma emphasized that, despite no longer wearing the Huskies’ jerseys, Bueckers and Edwards quickly regained their form during practice. He observed a distinct, improved vibe whenever they’re present and highlighted how much the experience of seeing them again can illuminate how much they’ve grown—while still feeling familiar.
Bueckers, in particular, appears to be unchanged in some ways since turning pro. Auriemma noted that she remains one of the most vocal trash-talkers on the court, even as her role evolves. “If Paige scores in practice, she’s quick to remind everyone, ‘I’m in the W now! You can’t guard me now!’” Auriemma joked, underscoring the blend of competitiveness and camaraderie that marks this moment.
Overall, the coach and players alike describe a refreshed, nostalgically charged atmosphere when former Huskies return. It’s a reminder of who they were, who they are becoming, and how those paths intersect on the same court—and it invites a broader conversation about how alumni influence current teams and what changes after moving on to professional careers.
What’s your take on how alumni returns shape a college program’s culture and development? Do you think these reunions raise the level of play or simply blur the lines between past and present? Share your perspective in the comments.
