Although his heart stopped beating on the operating table for a period of four minutes before doctors were able to revive him, he made a complete recovery and went on to excel in water polo, a strenuous sport.

In 2004 after graduating from Stanford University with a degree in International Relations, Azevedo signed a professional water polo contract with Bissolati Cremona (Italy) placing him among the top 10 paid players in the sport.

[5] Azevedo scored 5 goals of an 8–4 win by the US National Team over host country China in the opening games of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Azevedo was named the captain of the United States men's national water polo team.

His father, Ricardo Azevedo, played on the Brazilian national water polo team and coached his son throughout his age group and high school career.

Azevedo senior was Head Water Polo Coach both of the U.S. National Team and Long Beach State University.

Cassie also plays professionally in Italy after adjusting to a congenital health condition that temporarily sidetracked her water polo career.