KEY POINTS
- Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd scored 30 points in the final round to become the first rookie champion in WNBA 3-Point Contest history.
- The 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick defeated Portland Fire guard Bridget Carleton 30-19 in the championship round at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
- Fudd’s 30-point performance matched the second-highest score ever recorded in the competition, netting her $60,000 in total prize money.
Dallas Wings star rookie Azzi Fudd added another milestone to her basketball career on Friday night, becoming the first rookie in league history to win the WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest. The top overall pick in the 2026 draft put on an extraordinary display of perimeter shooting in the final round at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, accumulating 30 points to decisively beat Portland Fire guard Bridget Carleton. The victory capped off the Friday night festivities of WNBA All-Star Weekend in memorable fashion.
What You Need to Know
Azzi Fudd entered the professional ranks with high expectations following a standout collegiate career at UConn, where she helped lead the Huskies to a national championship before being selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Known for a fluid, effortless jump shot, Fudd entered the All-Star competition as only the fourth rookie in league history invited to participate in the marquee shooting showcase.
The WNBA 3-Point Contest features five main shooting racks placed around the perimeter, along with specially designated deep-range balls worth extra points. Players must navigate the stations against the clock, balancing speed with physical accuracy. While veteran sharpshooters historically dominate the event due to familiarity with the professional ball and tournament rhythm, Fudd’s quick release and set-shot consistency proved tailored for the format.
The field in Chicago featured elite perimeter threats from across the league, including Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Golden State’s Janelle Salaün, Toronto’s Marina Mabrey, and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman. Carleton set the early benchmark in the opening round with 29 points, while Fudd advanced to the three-player final with a steady 24-point opening performance.
Azzi Fudd WNBA 3-Point Contest Victory Details
In the championship round, Fudd unlocked her full shooting potential. The rookie guard started red-hot, sinking her first six consecutive attempts to establish an immediate rhythm. She went on to convert 20 of her 26 total shots in the final frame, making eight of her last ten attempts to push her tally to 30 points. Carleton, following her explosive first round, managed 19 points in the finals, sealing the victory for the Dallas newcomer.
Fudd’s score of 30 stands tied for the second-highest total in the history of the WNBA 3-Point Contest, equaling past championship totals set by Allie Quigley and Sabrina Ionescu. Ionescu retains the all-time single-round record with her legendary 37-point performance in 2023. Expressing pleasant surprise upon learning she was the first rookie victor, Fudd credited muscle memory and fundamental preparation for her composure under the lights.
For her winning effort, Fudd earned $60,000 in total prize compensation, comprising $20,000 from the league alongside an additional $40,000 contribution provided by Aflac and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. Celebrating after the event, the rookie guard jokingly called for a perimeter shooting rematch against NBA superstar Steph Curry, referencing a high school shooting competition the two shared years earlier at his youth camp.
Why This Matters
Azzi Fudd’s historic victory underscores the rapid elevation of talent entering the women’s professional game today. Rookie players transitioning from high-level college programs are arriving in the WNBA with elite skills ready for immediate application on the league’s biggest stages. Fudd’s accomplishment reinforces how young stars are driving fan engagement and media coverage around WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Furthermore, the growing financial rewards associated with All-Star events highlight the expanding commercial backing behind women’s basketball. Increased prize pools sponsored by major corporate partners represent a meaningful shift in compensation structure for top players, enhancing the prestige and competitive intensity of marquee midseason events.
NCN Analysis
Azzi Fudd’s dominant victory in Chicago validates the elite perimeter skillset that made her the consensus top selection in the 2026 draft. Her ability to remain unfazed by pressure and execute with technical repetition under a timed format confirms that her shooting mechanics are elite. For a Dallas Wings franchise building toward long-term contention, having a reliable volume shooter capable of changing games from beyond the arc provides a foundation for offensive spacing.
As the WNBA regular season resumes following the All-Star break, expect opponents to adjust their defensive schemes significantly when facing Fudd. Defenses will likely press higher on perimeter screens and deny her clean looks off ball movement. How Fudd adapts to tighter physical coverage in the second half of her rookie season will determine whether her All-Star shooting performance translates into postseason success for Dallas.
Azzi Fudd’s groundbreaking 3-point contest victory marks a defining moment in her rookie season, confirming her status as one of basketball’s premier perimeter shooters.
Reported by the NCN Editorial Team
