Ten games into the 2025-2026 season, the UConn women’s basketball team remains undefeated and at the top of the AP Poll.
While UConn is flying high, several of the team’s players appear to be leaning on their faith.
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On Thursday, the team’s social media account showcased the players’ travel essentials. Each photo featured a UConn backpack and its contents.
Eight of the players’ bags contained hard copies of the Bible — each unique — and many of those players also had a devotional book.
One of those players with a Bible was Azzi Fudd, a top prospect in the upcoming 2026 WNBA draft. Fudd, who went to a Catholic high school, has previously spoken about her faith.
Following UConn’s victory over South Carolina to win its 12th national championship, Fudd discussed her faith when she was asked in the postgame press conference about her ability to play freely during the game.
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“Well, first, I think my faith. I feel like Paige (Bueckers) and other people on the team have been really inspirational in that aspect, so being able to kind of just let go, give it to God, definitely takes that pressure that I put on myself away,” she said.
UConn players from left, Azzi Fudd, Ashlynn Shade, Paige Bueckers, KK Arnold and Kaitlyn Chen pose with the trophy after a game against Southern California in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 31, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. | Jenny Kane, Associated Press
KK Arnold was another one of the players who travels with her Bible. She also travels with the devotional book “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment,” by Eckhart Tolle, according to UConn’s post.
Arnold has previously spoken about her Christian faith and study of the Bible.
“I feel like one thing that’s brought us together more — I mean everybody doesn’t do it — but most people do our Bible study. We really put God in the center of this team,” Arnold said in a video shared by The IX Basketball on Instagram.
The UConn players’ focus on religion also extends to other faiths.
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Center Jana El Alfy’s backpack contained her Quran. El-Alfy has openly practiced her faith while at UConn.
Earlier this year, El Alfy observed Ramadan, which coincided with the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. El Alfy was supported by her teammates while she fasted, according to CT Insider.
UConn center Jana El Alfy (8) and UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) react during the first half of a national semifinal Final Four game against UCLA during the women’s NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. | Chris O’Meara, Associated Press
Former teammate and roommate Paige Bueckers would wake up early to make El Alfy a meal before she began her fast at dawn. Bueckers was later drafted No. 1 overall in this year’s 2025 WNBA draft and named Rookie of the Year.
Bueckers herself was open about her faith while at UConn.
She would often use her postgame interviews and press conferences as a platform to praise God, including after winning the national title, as the Deseret News previously reported.
