Azzi Fudd Makes History as First Rookie to Win WNBA 3-Point Contest
Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd secured the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest title on Friday night, July 24, 2026, scoring 30 points in the championship round at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. With the victory, Fudd became the first rookie in league history to win the 3-point shootout.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft opened the final round by hitting her first six shots to establish her rhythm, ultimately making 20 of 26 attempts overall, including eight of her final ten 3-pointers. Earlier in the evening, Fudd advanced out of a competitive opening round with 24 points after making four of her final five shots.
Championship Showdown Against Bridget Carleton
Fudd edged Bridget Carleton of the expansion Portland Fire in the final round. Carleton delivered a stellar performance in the opening round, scoring 29 points after sinking 13 of her first 16 shots. Her hot shooting initially brought a star-studded crowd to its feet—an audience that included NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Jayson Tatum, Russell Westbrook, Dwyane Wade, and Sheryl Swoopes.
However, Carleton started slowly in the championship round and could not recover, finishing with 19 points.
The six-player field for the 2026 State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest also featured:
Context, Format, and All-Star Weekend Festivities
The 3-point contest was broadcast live on ESPN, Disney+, and the ESPN App as part of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2026 weekend events in Chicago. The timed, two-round competition utilized ball racks positioned at five main locations around the three-point arc, featuring standard WNBA game balls worth one point, oatmeal-colored “moneyballs worth two points, and special
From the Logo” pedestals worth three points.
Leading up to the event, several players, including Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, addressed their absences from the contest via media and social channels, noting invitation disputes while expressing support for the competing shooters.
Friday’s festivities also included the Kia WNBA Shooting Stars event. Team Washington—consisting of Elena Delle Donne, Shakira Austin, and high schooler Jezelle Banks—won that competition with 31 points in the final, edging Seattle’s squad after Banks hit crucial 4-point shots from just inside halfcourt.
Fudd Looks Ahead and Eyes a Rematch
Following her milestone victory, Fudd reflected on her rookie campaign and her trajectory from winning a 3-point contest at Stephen Curry’s SC30 Select Camp in 2018 as a 15-year-old. Speaking to reporters in Chicago, Fudd publicly called out the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter for a long-sought rematch.
Steph if you're listening, I've been asking for a rematch since high school,
Fudd said. Maybe it's our time.
Fudd also expressed interest in returning to defend her title next year, stating, If they’ll have me. I’d be honored to be here again … that’s not up to me.
The All-Star weekend activities concluded with the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game held on Saturday, July 25, at the United Center.
