Azzi Fudd was basically born with a basketball in her hand and hoops in her heart. The game flows through her blood and is deeply embedded in her genes. Her dad Tim Fudd starred at Chantilly High School in northern Virginia before averaging 12 points per game at American University.
Her mother Katie Smrcka-Duffy also starred in northern Virginia at James Madison High School and played point guard for both N.C. State and Georgetown. She won ACC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and was named two-time Big East Player of the Year with the Lady Hoyas.
Straight Beastin’
Fudd came out the womb destined to be a basketball savant. She’s named after former UConn great and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Jennifer Azzi.
She’s the 2021 No. 1 ranked recruit in her freshman season at UConn. She’s currently out for a few weeks as she deals with a nagging foot injury. But that hasn’t stopped the sharpshooter from Washington, D.C., by way of St. John’s College High School from picking up Name Image-Likeness (NIL) deals. Her latest is a deal with NBA icon Steph Curry and his brand, SC30 Inc. The partnership is a wide-ranging one that will support her both on and off the court.
When I first stepped foot on the floor for SC30 Select Camp, I could never have imagined us teaming up like this. Excited for the opportunity to join @StephenCurry30 and the @SC30inc family and for everything we will do together in the future! I can’t wait to get started 🙏🏀 pic.twitter.com/v7N7QIHp2Z
— Azzi Fudd (@azzi_35) December 1, 2021
Curry had this to say about the partnership:
“Azzi Fudd is the best choice to start a brand relationship like this, because she is the next face of women’s basketball, and has been a part of SC30 Inc. and the Curry Brand family since she was an invitee to the All-American Camp.”
Curry Will Mentor Fudd
In 2018, Fudd beat Curry in a three-point shootout at that aforementioned All-American Camp. From there a bond was formed, and now Curry will mentor her as she goes through her college career. Fudd will learn the ropes of how to build a brand. Curry’s goal is to have Fudd show the world she’s more than a basketball player by empowering young women to pursue their dreams uninhibted. His brand will provide financial backing while also pushing her ideas and core values.
“Our values are aligned when it comes to family and in terms of hard work and for the appreciation of the blessings in your life. For me this is the right time because I have identified the platforms that I have, aligning purpose over profit, and the ability to collaborate with the right partners for the right opportunities. I want to be able to unlock that for Azzi, and for other talented influencers that see the world the same way I do. It is my hope that we can inspire the next generation of athletes and non-athletes who want to do amazing things.”
Steph Curry has signed UConn star Azzi Fudd to a wide-ranging NIL contract with his brand, SC30 Inc.
Fudd and Curry met at a camp in 2018 and have been friends ever since.
He plans to both sponsor and personally mentor her, noting "she's the next face of women's basketball" 🏀 pic.twitter.com/wpgmlS81SP
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 1, 2021
Fudd has a skill set reminiscent of Curry’s, and her humility is also on par with the greatest shooter to ever live. This is a match made in heaven.
Her connection to him will provide her the opportunity to learn the business side of sports while also giving back. She’s a native Washingtonian who holds annual camps in the area. With this partnership the expectation is that those camps be held more frequently with Curry’s SC30 Inc. backing the expansion.
Fudd Now Has Three NIL Deals
This is Fudd’s third NIL deal after signing with Chipotle Mexican Grill and BioSteel Sports Nutrition Products. Fudd’s deal with BioSteel also includes equitable gains. The basketball phenom joins a team of other high-profile athletes, including Patrick Mahomes, Luka Doncic, DeAndre Hopkins, Jalen Ramsey and Ezekiel Elliott.
Maintaining my hydration is critical not only to my life on the court, but also in class. @biosteelsports is a brand and product I believe in. Clean. Healthy. Hydration. Excited to officially join #TeamBioSteel. pic.twitter.com/aramBoaj66
— Azzi Fudd (@azzi_35) November 10, 2021
In September, Chipotle announced Fudd as the brand’s “college athlete ambassador,” along with Jaiden Fields, who is a softball player at Georgia and the sister of Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Fudd will work with Chipotle to “identify an organization close to her that supports
underrepresented communities.”
I’m so excited to be a part of the Chipotle family! Thankful for the opportunity. Chipotle is my lifeeee!! 🌯 @ChipotleTweets pic.twitter.com/26wRTx5Ltn
— Azzi Fudd (@azzi_35) October 2, 2021
Her teammate and best friend Paige Bueckers (2020 No.1 overall recruit) recently signed an NIL deal with sports drink king Gatorade. She became the first college athlete to sign with the creme de la creme of sports drinks.
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