{
  "id": 7697715,
  "title": "UConn's Azzi Fudd won't compare herself to Rookie of the Year favorite Olivia Miles: 'Thief of joy'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/uconns-azzi-fudd-wont-compare-herself-to-rookie-of-the-year-favorite",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T03:47:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/uconns-azzi-fudd-wont-compare-034754403.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aris Fudd, a former standout at UConn, was recently interviewed after recovering from knee surgery. The interview took place after Fudd was drafted first overall in the WNBA Draft. Despite reaching lofty expectations, Fudd's place in the Rookie of the Year race was likely ended when Olivia Miles, the second overall pick, emerged as the standout point guard for the Minnesota Lynx. Some fans questioned if Fudd deserved the top pick over Miles. However, Fudd chose not to engage in those comparisons, instead congratulating Miles on her outstanding rookie season. Fudd believes that comparisons are a \"thief of joy\" and take away from her own work.",
  "summary": "The former UConn star praised Miles and said she'll leave the debate to everyone else.",
  "key_points": [
    "Aris Fudd won first overall pick in WNBA Draft",
    "Olivia Miles emerged as standout point guard",
    "Fudd chose not to compare herself to Miles"
  ],
  "editors_take": "By declining to compare herself to Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd shifts focus away from external validation and toward her own work, avoiding a potentially divisive narrative that could undermine her own rookie experience.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}