Podcast Summary: "Buckets, Bricks & Building Blocks w/ Rhyne Howard"
Podcast: Fudd Around And Find Out
Hosts: Azzi Fudd (UConn), Ashanti Plummer
Guest: Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream/USA Olympian)
Date: November 21, 2025
Network: iHeartPodcasts & Unanimous Media
Episode Overview
This week, Azzi and Ashanti welcome WNBA star and Olympian Rhyne Howard to discuss her journey from college stardom to the pros, the mental and physical demands of elite basketball, her artistic and competitive passions off the court (LEGO architecture, art, and golf!), and her experiences representing the U.S. in 3x3 basketball at the Paris Olympics.
The episode blends basketball discussion, personal revelations, anecdotes about competition and self-care, and a fun dose of games and rankings—showing the rich personal lives that fuel these star athletes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Catching Up: New Seasons, Birthdays & Excitement
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Azzi Fudd celebrates her 23rd birthday amid the UConn season, emphasizing family, good food, and recovery. She shares:
“I came to [my grandparent’s house in Connecticut]... My parents were here, they brought Stewie up, my little dog, and they made me a birthday feast. …Probably one of the best dinners I’ve had.” (04:00)
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On the energy as the season begins:
“The season’s ramp…This is a big week for us. …I’m so excited!” (02:57)
2. Meet Rhyne Howard: Golf, Growth, and the WNBA
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Rhyne’s off-season is a blend of “golfing and working out”, having picked up golf with her friend Leash as a hobby now three years strong.
“I’ve been golfing almost like every day since the season ended.” (05:37)
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Reflects on the Dream’s season:
“Obviously, nobody wants to end short of the end goal…But…we did a lot more than what was even expected. …Tied for second at the end of the regular season, I think that’s a huge accomplishment in itself.” (06:45)
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Lessons from a ‘down year’:
“I personally think that was my worst year in the league because I just wasn’t consistent enough to my standards… as the leader…if I would’ve had a better year, we probably would have gone farther.” (08:58)
3. WNBA Welcome & “Unrivaled” Moments
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On her “welcome to the league” moment:
“De’Erica [Hamby] busting my lip…Not intentional…we were both going for a rebound…My lip is dripping. …I had to get stitches that game and [came] back in.” (10:57)
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De’Erica later becomes her “Unrivaled” (3x3 league) teammate, illustration of the league’s close community:
“People say Mama Dee, that’s not just a nickname…she’s definitely the mother of any team.” (12:12)
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Excitement for changes in “Unrivaled” (new players, venues, development pool):
“…Bringing in new competition…change who you’re playing with…the dynamic…It’ll be exciting.” (13:36)
4. Off-court Passions: LEGO Sets, Art, and Relaxation
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A serious LEGO enthusiast:
“I have so many LEGO sets…a big old dresser of the ones that need to be built…I keep buying new ones.” (15:30) “It’s calming…but sometimes…if you missed a piece, it tests you. …It is fun, it is relaxing…and a little bit of ASMR too…” (16:41)
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Most complicated build: The Grand Piano (works with an app and plays music!) (17:46)
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On her art:
“Basketball…has the lines that you’re inside… but [art is] another way for me to create in another set of lines and…be in my own space. Nobody’s telling me what to do.” (22:11)
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Unseen works: Spray-paint animal series (an elephant, lion, giraffe with geometric black and color). (24:19)
5. Customs, Collaborations, and Creatives
- Collaborated with an artist on custom shoes for the Dream (27:03).
- Dream shoe collab: “Any collab with Spongebob…Spongebob and, you know, aquifer.” (28:28)
6. College Choices and Coaching
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Her mother’s advice on college:
“She’s like, no, cool…I want you to go through the recruiting process. …If you still want to play, okay, that’s fine—but…don’t want you doing that just because I did it.” (29:48)
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On coaching at Florida:
“I didn’t want to go overseas again…They reached out…just being able to go…having that hands-on experience with [the team]…being able to tell them what they can expect now.” (31:26)
7. Olympic Glory: 3x3 Team USA
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On making the Paris 3x3 team:
“Jay Demings came to our practice and hand-delivered the jersey…You have to have that [perfection], especially with USA standards…being considered for the team and making the team, it was surreal.” (33:17)
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Biggest 3x3 adjustments: Conditioning, both mental and physical.
“There’s no timeouts unless there’s a deadball. You’re running…you have to believe your body can go.” (35:09)
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On skillset translation:
“Probably my change of pace or my poise…being able to stay poised…opens up a lot more options.” (35:53)
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On Olympic pressure:
“To be out there, you have to be trusted. …It’s like, why would I regress? …Why would I carry myself with any less weight?” (39:20)
8. Fun and Games: FUD of the Week & Snack Rankings
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What the Fud of the Week:
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Rhyne: Appeared with Leash on ATL Swing King’s “Whooping Wednesdays”—and “we did the whooping!”
“We took his title…It was super fun.” (43:44)
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Azzi: Shouts out Ashanti’s jersey dress at her home game (44:33)
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Rhyne: Getting the “1% question” right on a game show, then being invited to compete:
“If I was on 1%, I would have won…my agent’s like, ‘they want you on.’” (46:30)
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Snack Rankings (selected):
- Cottage Cheese: Azzi (S), Rhyne (Never tried), Ashanti (D) (47:19)
- Mr. Softee Ice Cream: All favorable, mostly A/B (47:52)
- Popcorn: Azzi (S), Ryan (A), Ashanti (S) (48:41)
- Beef Jerky/Slim Jims: Rhyne (S) “I want to be a Slim Jim!” (49:28)
9. Plugs and Final Thoughts
- Rhyne promotes her YouTube channel ATL Vibes and teases an upcoming art page for her creations (50:15).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On team support and leadership (08:17)
“Being able to have 11 other players…you can trust…they’ll recognize you have a lot of pressure and they’ll take that for you.”
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On creative expression and self-care (22:11)
“Art…is another way for me to create in another set of lines and…be in my own space. Nobody’s telling me what to do.”
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WNBA resilience (10:57)
“De’Erica… busted my lip…had to get stitches…and went back in.”
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On representing Team USA (33:17)
“Being able to go and represent your country again…it meant a lot…now, it’s serious. …You have to have [perfection].”
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Snack Rankings / Fun Nonsense
“I want to be a slim Jim…like, I want to be a slim gym.” (49:28)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Azzi’s Birthday & Early Season Chat — 02:04–05:08
- Interview with Rhyne Howard Begins — 05:13
- Golf, WNBA Season, and Dream’s Progress — 05:37–08:55
- Lessons from a Rough Season & Team Dynamics — 08:10–09:50
- WNBA Welcome-to-the-League Moment — 10:54–11:56
- Unrivaled 3x3 League & Teammate Bonds — 12:08–13:41
- LEGO Obsession and Mental Health — 15:13–18:03
- Art, Custom Fashion, Creativity — 22:06–27:03
- College, Coaching, and Player Development — 29:48–32:47
- Olympics/Team USA Journey — 33:10–39:20
- Fun and Games: “What the Fud of the Week” & Snacks — 43:31–49:54
Episode Tone & Energy
Lighthearted and genuine with a supportive, familial chemistry. The conversation flows naturally from spirited basketball shop talk to playful banter about LEGO builds, art projects, and snack favorites, punctuated by sincere insights about the pressures of athletic excellence and finding joy off the court. Rhyne’s humility and humor shine, complemented by Azzi and Ashanti’s warmth and curiosity.
For Listeners
A must-listen for women’s basketball fans, athletes craving insight into the behind-the-scenes grind, or anyone who loves hearing talented people geek out about their hobbies. This episode offers laughs, lessons, and a window into the evolving culture of women’s pro sports.