Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd became the first rookie in league history to win the WNBA All-Star 3-point shooting contest on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick secured the title at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, scoring 30 points in the final round to defeat Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton, who finished with 19 points according to ESPN.
Championship Performance and Scoring
Fudd’s 30-point finish in the championship round is tied for the second-highest total ever in the event, equaling the marks set by Allie Quigley and Sabrina Ionescu. Ionescu currently holds the record with 37 points scored in 2023 CBS News reported. To achieve her victory, Fudd missed only six of her 27 shots in the final round, beginning the session by hitting her first six consecutive shots to establish a rhythm.
The path to the finals included a strong opening round where Fudd scored 24 points, making four of her final five attempts. Her opponent, Bridget Carleton, had a stellar first round with 29 points, including 13 of her first 16 shots, before struggling in the final round.
Overcoming Injury and Developing Form
Fudd attributed her ability to hit shots repeatedly from a stationary position to her experience rehabbing multiple college injuries. This included a torn right ACL and meniscus in November 2023, which sidelined her for most of that season, as well as another right knee injury during her sophomore year in 2022-23. Fudd noted that these injuries required a lot of chair shooting
and stationary shots,
which she said made her “robotic” and proficient at shooting off a rack.
Additionally, Fudd credited her parents for her shooting form, specifically stating that her mother’s shot is identical to her own. This preparation has translated to her rookie season, where she ranks 10th in the league with 2.2 three-pointers per game and 10th in total three-pointers made with 53 ESPN noted.
Contest Format and Prizing
The 2026 State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest featured a six-player field including Fudd, Carleton, Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo, Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm, and Janelle Salaün of the Golden State Valkyries the WNBA stated. The competition utilized five shooting locations with various ball types:
- Standard balls: One point each.
- Oatmeal-colored “money” balls: Two points each.
- “From the Logo” black balls: Three points each, with each make triggering a donation to Girls Who Code Inc.
Under a new collective bargaining agreement, the prize money for the event saw a significant increase. Fudd received $20,000 for winning the contest and an additional $20,000 from Aflac, totaling $40,000. All participants received a $10,000 base payment. Carleton received $30,000 for second place, while Howard received $15,000 for third CBS News reported.
Post-Game Reactions
Following her historic win, Fudd expressed shock and honor at being the first rookie to capture the title. She also issued a playful request for a rematch with Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, recalling a 3-point competition they had when she attended his camp in high school.
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