“It’s frustrating but I get it”: Azzi Fudd’s parents talk about the racial aspect of Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry

On Thursday, Azzi Fudd’s parents, Katie Smrcka-Duffy and Tim Fudd, joined Julian Brown on the “UVA and NOVA Legends Podcast” to talk about their daughter. One of the topics discussed was the racial aspect of the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry.

Both of Azzi’s parents are Northern Virginia basketball legends and are currently raising one of the best hoopers in women’s college basketball, so they pay a lot of attention to the events.

When Katie and Tim were asked about their opinion concerning the whole racial undertone to the rivalry, they had this to say:

“Yeah, I think it's inevitable, but yeah, it's like, let's move on,” Katie said.

“I don't know if it's because the NBA is not like that. It's been 30, 40 years removed. It's a little frustrating, but I get the whole façade about it because it was such a drama, and it was scintillating to watch Caitlin Clark versus Angel Reese, Iowa versus LSU in the National Championship Game a few years ago, and it was captivating.

"It captured people's attention, and you had to choose a side. Whether you were Black or White, you had to choose a side, and it disrupted some friendships. People got blocked. They got deleted. But I think it is ... I would love to see it move on, for sure,” Tim said.

Katie made a point about how the league handled Clark’s arrival, noting that it also contributed to the heat.

“But I also think the way that the league handled Caitlin coming in,” she said. “You've got great players in the league, and then all of a sudden, amazingly, there was only Caitlin.

“I think this year, they've done a better job at that of showcasing. There's a whole WNBA commercial about A'ja Wilson, which is what it should be. It shouldn't just be about Caitlin."

She then continued:

“Not saying that Caitlin is a thing to be had. She should be marketed and promoted, but it shouldn't just be her. I think with that, then you bring some resentment from players and also from fans. Like, yo, my favorite player, you're not showing them.

“So you got fans then who are in that game of criticizing how they're running things because all you're seeing is Caitlin. And the games that are broadcast on TV are only the ones that Caitlin is on.”

Clark joined the WNBA in 2024, selected by the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 pick, and she made her mark in her rookie season.

Azzi, their daughter, was eligible to declare for the draft this year, but she opted to play one more year in college, citing that she had unfinished business at this level.

Azzi Fudd opted against entering the draft after conversation with Geno Auriemma

Back in March, Azzi Fudd noted that it was a conversation with the Huskies' coach, Geno Auriemma, that convinced her to remain in college for one more year.

"He said, 'I would say 10 games, maybe, you've played to your full potential of who Azzi Fudd really is, and so you wouldn't do yourself justice leaving,'" Fudd recalls him saying.

"You would leave here not doing what you could in a UConn uniform.' I was like, 'Yeah, he has a point.'"

After winning the national title in 2025, Azzi will look to bring her experience to the floor as UConn looks to retain the title in 2026.