Azzi Fudd makes WNBA history as first rookie to win 3-point contest

The Dallas Wings rookie continued her breakout first season by becoming the first rookie ever to capture the WNBA’s 3-point contest crown during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.

Azzi Fudd is adding another milestone to what is quickly becoming a memorable first professional season.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft became the first rookie in league history to win the WNBA’s annual 3-point contest Friday night, delivering a lights-out shooting performance during All-Star Weekend in Chicago. 

Fudd, a rookie with the Dallas Wings, advanced to the championship round after posting 24 points in the opening round, then caught fire when it mattered most. She opened the final by knocking down all five shots from the first rack and finished with 30 points, defeating Portland Fire guard Bridget Carleton, who scored 19 in the final after leading the opening round.

Fudd made 20 of her 26 shots in the championship round, tying one of the highest scores in the history of the competition, though Sabrina Ionescu’s record of 37 points remains the standard. 

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For basketball fans who have followed Fudd’s journey, the moment felt like a fitting continuation of what she’s long been known for.

Long before she became a national champion at UConn and the top pick in the WNBA Draft, Fudd earned a reputation as one of the purest shooters in women’s basketball. Injuries interrupted parts of her college career, but she returned to help lead the Huskies to a national championship before beginning her professional career in Dallas. 

After the victory, Fudd credited years of repetition for her comfort in the contest’s format.

“It’s muscle memory,” she said after the competition, explaining that the routine felt familiar after spending years taking thousands of similar shots in practice. 

The win also came with a sizable financial reward. In addition to the league’s prize money, Fudd received a bonus funded through the WNBPA’s partnership with Aflac, bringing her total winnings to approximately $60,000. 

But perhaps the most entertaining moment came after the trophy presentation.

With a smile, Fudd renewed a friendly challenge to NBA superstar Stephen Curry, reviving a storyline that dates back to her high school days. As a teenager, Fudd competed against Curry in a shooting challenge at Curry’s SC30 basketball camp. Now, after becoming a professional and claiming a WNBA shooting title, she’s ready for another chance.

“I want my rematch,” Fudd said, referencing the lighthearted rivalry that basketball fans have followed for years. 

The moment adds to what has already been an exciting All-Star Weekend for women’s basketball. With established stars continuing to elevate the league and a new generation of young talent arriving ready to contribute immediately, the WNBA’s showcase events have become must-watch television for basketball fans.

For Black sports fans especially, Fudd’s rise represents another example of a young athlete who has successfully navigated years of immense expectations. From becoming one of the nation’s top high school recruits to battling injuries at UConn and now making history as a rookie, she has consistently delivered on one of the game’s biggest stages.

Her latest accomplishment also reinforces why the Dallas Wings viewed her as a franchise cornerstone.

If Friday night’s shooting display is any indication, defenders across the league may have plenty more reason to worry.