On a recent episode of the podcast Fudd Around and Find Out, Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams offered heartfelt guidance to UConn star Azzi Fudd regarding life after college and the evolution of relationships. As a respected <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA player who has experienced the shift from college basketball to professional life, Williams discussed how friendships and connections change over time once athletes graduate.
Williams appeared alongside teammate Natisha Hiedeman to talk candidly about the realities facing players like Fudd as they prepare for their final college seasons and beyond.
Williams Describes How Adult Relationships Differ From College Bonds
When Fudd asked about navigating her upcoming senior year, Williams provided a blunt but honest perspective. She explained that becoming a “real-deal adult” means relationships transform in ways that can be difficult to anticipate.
You about to be a real-deal adult, twin. Like, the relationships are just different,
Williams said.
She acknowledged that while some college friendships remain, many connections fade as life takes people in new directions. Williams shared her personal experience, noting how few college teammates she still regularly talks to.
I mean, I’m lucky enough to have found me a best friend as an adult,
she added.
But it’s like them relationships that you build in college, bro.
Williams went on to explain that although these changes happen gradually, they feel unavoidable.
I ain’t gonna say they ain’t gonna last. But as you get grown, like, I damn near don’t talk to none of my team, for real, that I went to college with,
she explained.
Like, I have a couple people I might speak to here and there,
she continued.
But that bond that you have when you just there with them — it just get different when you get grown.
The root of this shift, Williams clarified, is that people must follow separate paths in life.
Because everybody got to go on their own separate paths,
Williams said.
Azzi Fudd Reflects on Transition and Future Prospects
Fudd, who is preparing for her last collegiate season with the Huskies, appreciated the honest advice from Williams. She acknowledged the need to cherish the present and remain aware that change is a natural part of life.
With a promising future ahead, Fudd is considered one of the top prospects for the 2026 WNBA Draft. Joining her in this elite group are UCLA’s Lauren Betts and TCU’s Olivia Miles.
According to draft projections from Tankathon, the five teams most likely to secure the number one pick are Dallas, Minnesota (via Chicago), Seattle (via Los Angeles), Washington, and Chicago (via Connecticut).
Notably, Dallas has Paige Bueckers, Fudd’s girlfriend, who went first overall in the 2025 draft, highlighting personal and professional connections within the league.
Significance of Williams’ Advice for Aspiring Professionals
Courtney Williams’ straightforward reflections emphasize the emotional challenges players face as they move from the close-knit environment of college basketball to the wider world of professional sports and adulthood. Her experience provides important context for athletes like Azzi Fudd, who must adapt to evolving relationships while pursuing their careers.
This candid conversation offers a realistic look at life after college for athletes, encouraging them to prepare not only for the professional demands of their sport but also for the personal growth that comes with new stages in life.