Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry shouts out UConn's Azzi Fudd on Friday

Shortly after dropping 40 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 106-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry paid tribute to a fellow sharpshooter and friend in the college ranks: UConn Huskies women's basketball starAzzi Fudd.

Curry -- an ardent support of women's sports -- wore Fudd's blue UConn jersey to his postgame news conference following the win. Friday was also Fudd's 20th birthday, and one day after she scored 26 points in the Huskies' season-opening win over Northeastern.

"Wanted to shout her out," Curry said Friday of Fudd, a sophomore guard with the Huskies. "Basketball is basketball and continuing to do our part to shine a light and celebrate those women who are doing amazing things on the court."

Earlier in the week, Curry sat courtside at Stanford's Maples Pavilion to watch family friend Cameron Brink play as the Cardinal trounced CSU Northridge104-40.

The Curry-Fudd connection goes back years. She was invited to Curry's SC30 Select Camp at 15. She stood out, even among older boys, for her shooting prowess.

"She can be going full speed and stop on a dime and have, like, a feathery release," Curry told ESPN beforeher commitment to UConn. "I think she has more of a textbook jumper than anyone I've seen. Maybe Klay Thompson and Azzi Fudd. ... You go Ray Allen, Klay Thompson and Azzi Fudd, textbook. You would teach somebody how to shoot with their form."

With college athletes now able to profit off their name, image and likeness, Fudd signed a deal in December with Curry's organization -- marking its first athlete signing -- that involves a mentorship component from Curry himself.

Earlier this week, Curry gave Fudd another shoutout online after she sank nine 3-pointers in UConn's exhibition game, tweeting "Splash! 9 of em "

Fudd's next game is Monday as No. 6 UConn takes on No. 3 Texas in Storrs, Connecticut.