Fudd Around And Find Out

Episode: 1-on-1 w/ Napheesa Collier
Host: Azzi Fudd (with co-hosts including Ashanti Plummer and “Unidentified Female Host”)
Guest: Napheesa Collier
Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

Azzi Fudd welcomes WNBA superstar and UConn alum Napheesa Collier in an energetic, candid conversation exploring Collier’s journey in women’s basketball, her role in shaping the game’s future, and life off the court. The episode balances lighthearted banter (Valentine’s hot takes, tap dancing secrets) with insider perspectives on elite women’s basketball, Unrivaled, team dynamics, and building women’s sports culture. Listeners get to “Fudd Around & Find Out” what it’s like to transition from NCAA to WNBA, create spaces for women’s hoops, and celebrate milestone moments.

Main Discussion Segments & Key Moments

1. Warm Welcome, Black History Month Highlight

[02:09–03:18]

• The episode opens with a Black History Month fact about Ronald McNair, a Black astronaut who overcame racial barriers, with his honored legacy now enshrined at the library that once denied him access.
  • “That same library that once denied him his books is now named after him in his honor.” — Unidentified Female Host [02:52]
• The hosts react with awe, pride, and reflection on the importance of legacy.

2. Catching Up: UConn Winter Struggles & Dress Codes

[04:14–06:15]

• The group jokes about weather envy (Minnesota warmth vs. East Coast winter), and Collier details the grueling old-school dress code UConn players endured.
  • “We had to wear stockings and, like, dress clothes… Every home game we had to dress up.” — Nafissa Collier [05:12]
• Azzi is grateful that tradition has changed:
  • “Thank you for going through that so I don’t have to — not pioneer. No, seriously.” — Azzi Fudd [06:03]

3. Valentine’s Day Hot Takes & Team Traditions

[06:15–10:31]

• Collier shrugs off the pressure for lavish Valentine’s celebrations:
  • “I don’t think you have to get presents every year…if you’re only…celebrating someone on Valentine’s Day, that’s also not good.” — Nafissa Collier [06:19]
• The hosts agree food > flowers, and joke about the “Valentime” vs. “Valentine’s” pronunciation [07:32].
• Azzi describes UConn teammate Caroline’s festive team Valentine’s scavenger hunts, echoing Collier’s thanks for teammates who lift spirits.

4. All-Star Weekend & The Growth of Women's Sports

[10:32–12:27]

• Azzi expresses awe at her first WNBA All-Star, asking Collier about the event’s growth:
  • “Throughout the whole city, it’s just grown so much…women’s sports is exploding…You see people's faces on billboards everywhere. That is new.” — Nafissa Collier [11:14]
• Collier emphasizes the difference from smaller, less-celebrated past years to today's “superstar athlete” status for WNBA players.
• Favorite All-Star events: Collier loves the three-point contest, especially the Steph Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu crossover [12:15].

5. Building "Unrivaled" & The Rise of Women's 1-on-1 Showdowns

[12:29–15:22]

• Collier explains the vision behind Unrivaled:
  • "We wanted to change…the landscape of women’s basketball...you don’t see a lot of women doing [1-on-1]. We want to create the same thing [where] you can say for one year, 'I'm the best.'" — Nafissa Collier [12:43]
• The hosts get hyped reminiscing about last year's event:
  • “It was a bloodbath. That was a. What the fud. Like, that was crazy.” — Nafissa Collier [13:35]
• Collier gives a behind-the-scenes look at the intense competition and fatigue:
  • “You're just beating the crap out of each other…Someone got a concussion. We are having a ref meeting before the game start this year.” — Nafissa Collier [15:08]

6. Basketball Strategy, Recovery, & Team Viewing

[15:22–16:21]

• Azzi and Collier discuss 1-on-1 strategy ("I'm hitting threes"), and plans for the UConn squad to stream the tournament together.

7. Sports Fandom, Olympics, & Dream Events

[20:31–24:23]

• Collier’s favorite Olympic events: gymnastics, track, ping pong (“so fun”), winter figure skating.
• Logistics during the COVID Olympics meant missing out on attending events; yet she’s eager to see more, especially women’s sports, at the LA Games [21:30–22:02].
• Dream cross-sport Olympic event: “Beach volleyball. I loved volleyball in high school...Beach volleyball is fun.” — Nafissa Collier [23:19]

8. Fun Facts: Tap Dancing & Reading Obsessions

[24:34–26:39]

• Surprise: Collier used to tap dance and still owns her shoes!
  • “If I’m tapping at a party, take me home.” — Nafissa Collier [25:15]
• She wants her daughter, Mila, to try dance for body confidence.
• Both Azzi and Collier share their love for reading, especially fantasy. Collier recommends Throne of Glass as her current obsession.
  • “My favorite series is Throne of Glass, so I'm rereading it for, like, the third time.” — Nafissa Collier [26:23]

9. Self-Care & Team Dynamics: WNBA vs. Unrivaled

[27:41–30:19]

• Collier decompresses by reading, spending time with loved ones, and unplugging from negative news.
• She reflects on how Unrivaled’s setup fosters college-like camaraderie:
  • “You don’t get that a lot anymore in professional settings.” — Nafissa Collier [30:10]
• Unrivaled feels more intimate, much like a sisterhood, compared to the traditional, businesslike professional league vibe.

10. Off-the-Court Relationships & Personalities

[31:19–32:46]

• Collier lists close friends from UConn and Minnesota, emphasizing how Unrivaled allows players to see each other’s genuine personalities.
  • “Some people have a persona [on the court]...It’s fun to get to know their personalities more.” — Nafissa Collier [31:21]
• Special shout-outs to Aaliyah, Skylar, Ezzy, and Dom.

11. UConn Stories: Geno Auriemma’s Legendary Discipline

[32:46–35:39]

• Collier relives getting kicked out of the UConn locker room after a 30-point win, made to practice in oversized “prison wear” under moody lighting:
  • “He walks into the gym, finally, he's like, 'Start running.' That's all he said…I've never felt so defeated in my whole life.” — Nafissa Collier [33:00–34:40]
• Lesson: “Honestly, it made me into the person I am today. I'm super thankful for it.” — Nafissa Collier [35:29]

12. All-Time UConn Starting Five

[35:48–36:09]

• Collier’s picks: Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, herself (“If I didn’t put me, I’d put Rebecca Lobo”).

13. Game Segment: "Who’d Win? UConn Alumni Edition"

[40:24–43:23]

• Hosts pit UConn alums in theoretical 1-on-1 matchups.
• Some highlights:
  • Bria Hartley vs. Tip Hayes: Tip Hayes [40:45]
  • Tip Hayes vs. Sue Bird: Tip Hayes for quickness [40:55]
  • Gabby Williams vs. Tina Charles: Collier picks Gabby for defense [42:18]
  • Maya Moore vs. Diana Taurasi: “That would be a generational game… I feel like I have to say Maya, because she's my favorite player, but it would be so good. I would just be entertained.” — Nafissa Collier [43:06]

14. "What the Fudd" of the Week: Unrivaled’s First Trade

[43:25–44:35]

• Collier reveals Unrivaled’s first-ever three-team trade:
  • “Azerae went from the Rose to the Hive, Sanaya from the Hive to the Vinyl, and Courtney Williams from the Vinyl to the Breeze.” [44:00]

15. Celebrating Historic Moments: Philly’s Unrivaled Crowd

[44:37–46:01]

• The hosts highlight the electric Unrivaled event in Philly:
  • “Philly was...the most unbelievable crowd I’ve ever [seen]. Especially when Marina was like, self conscious...A performance I’ve never seen in my whole life.” — Nafissa Collier [45:01]
• Collier wrestles with FOMO about sitting out, but is proud of building something so impactful.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Forget the bathing suit, I've barely seen the sun." — Azzi Fudd [04:38]
• "If I’m tapping at a party, take me home." — Nafissa Collier [25:15]
• "Everything's a test." — Azzi Fudd & Nafissa Collier on Geno’s life lessons [35:21, 35:24]
• "It feels like college...You don’t get that a lot anymore in professional settings." — Nafissa Collier on Unrivaled [30:10]
• "We wanted to...change the landscape of women’s basketball." — Nafissa Collier [12:43]
• "That's gonna be really fun to watch." — Azzi Fudd on Unrivaled trades [44:35]

Episode Structure with Timestamps

• Black History Moment: [02:09–03:18]
• Weather & UConn Dress Codes: [04:14–06:15]
• Valentine’s Day Takes/Traditions: [06:15–10:31]
• All-Star & Women’s Sports Growth: [10:32–12:27]
• Unrivaled & 1-on-1 Culture: [12:29–15:22]
• All-Star Event Details: [16:06 onward]
• Olympics & Favorite Events: [20:31–24:23]
• Fun Facts (Tap Dance/Reading): [24:34–26:39]
• Self-Care & Team Culture: [27:41–30:19]
• Friendships & Personalities: [31:19–32:46]
• UConn/Coach Geno Stories: [32:46–35:39]
• UConn All-Time 5: [35:48–36:09]
• "Who'd Win?" Game: [40:24–43:23]
• "What the Fudd" Trade News: [43:25–44:35]
• Philly’s Historic Unrivaled Atmosphere: [44:37–46:01]

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Lively, funny, and welcoming—listeners get insight into elite women’s hoops, athlete life, and the unique sisterhood binding UConn and Unrivaled alumni. The episode celebrates the game’s evolution, epic team camaraderie, and the power of intentional women-led spaces. Collier’s humility, humor, and vision shine, making this a must-listen for sports fans and anyone curious about the future of women’s basketball.

End of Summary