Rookie Sensation Fudd Stuns by Winning 3-Point Contest

Updated July 25, 2026 7 min read

max916311@gmail.com

Azzi Fudd Stuns as First Rookie to Win WNBA 3-Point Contest at 2026 All-Star Weekend

TL;DR: Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd made history at the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend by becoming the first rookie ever to win the league’s 3-point shootout. The former UConn standout defeated the Fire’s Bridget Carleton in the final round, capping a breakout debut season with a star-making performance that has the basketball world buzzing.

Azzi Fudd Stuns as First Rookie to Win WNBA 3-Point Contest

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd became the first rookie in WNBA history to win the 3-point shootout at the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, defeating the Fire’s Bridget Carleton in a thrilling final round. The former UConn Husky etched her name into the league record books with a shooting display that left the crowd and analysts in awe.

Quick Answer

Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft playing for the Dallas Wings, won the WNBA 3-point shootout at All-Star Weekend, becoming the first rookie and the first UConn alumna to capture the title. She topped Minnesota Fire guard Bridget Carleton in the championship round, showcasing the elite shooting ability that made her one of the most anticipated prospects in recent memory. The win adds individual hardware to what has already been an impressive debut campaign in the WNBA.

How Azzi Fudd Won the 2026 WNBA 3-Point Shootout

Fudd entered the 3-point contest as one of the favorites, given her reputation as one of the most lethal shooters in women’s basketball. She first gained national attention at UConn, where her ability to score from all three levels — and especially from beyond the arc — made her a consensus top recruit and eventually the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

According to reports from ESPN and NBC News, Fudd was consistent throughout all rounds of the competition. She navigated the preliminary round with confidence before setting up a final showdown against Carleton, who had also impressed with sharp shooting of her own.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Preliminary Round: Fudd established her rhythm early, hitting key shots on both wings and the top of the key to advance comfortably.
Championship Round vs. Carleton: Fudd delivered under pressure, posting a score that Carleton could not match despite a strong effort from the Minnesota Fire guard.
Clutch Moments: Fudd was particularly effective on the money ball rack, converting at a high rate that separated her from the rest of the field.

Industry data indicates that Fudd’s shooting percentage from three-point range during her UConn career hovered above 40%, a figure that translated seamlessly to the WNBA’s All-Star competition format. Her ability to replicate game-like accuracy in a contest setting underscores why scouts viewed her as a generational shooting talent.

Who Is Azzi Fudd? Background on the Dallas Wings Rookie

Azzi Fudd comes from one of the most storied basketball families in the sport. Her father, Tom Fudd, played college basketball, and her godfather is former NBA champion and current basketball executive Reggie Miller. She attended UConn, where she became one of the most decorated players in Huskies history before declaring for the 2026 WNBA Draft.

The Dallas Wings selected Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick, betting on her elite shooting and scoring ability to anchor their roster for years to come. In her rookie season, Fudd has lived up to the hype, averaging impressive numbers and earning respect from veterans across the league.

Azzi Fudd’s Key Rookie Season Stats

Category	Detail
Draft Position	No. 1 Overall Pick, 2026 WNBA Draft
Team	Dallas Wings
College	University of Connecticut (UConn)
All-Star Weekend Achievement	First rookie to win WNBA 3-Point Shootout
Historic Distinction	First UConn alumna to win the WNBA 3-point contest

What Made Fudd’s Win Historic

Fudd’s victory carries significance beyond just adding her name to the trophy. She became the first rookie ever to win the WNBA 3-point shootout — a competition that has historically been dominated by established veterans with years of professional experience. The achievement places her in rare company among All-Star Weekend champions.

Additionally, according to CT Insider, Fudd is the first UConn Husky to win the WNBA 3-point contest, extending the program’s remarkable legacy of producing elite professional talent. UConn’s pipeline to the WNBA is already unmatched in college basketball, and Fudd’s individual accolade adds another chapter to that story.

Why This Matters for the WNBA

Growing competition level: The WNBA’s 3-point shootout showcases the league’s expanding talent pool, and a rookie winning highlights the depth of incoming talent.
Fan engagement: Fudd’s star power and UConn pedigree draw significant media attention, boosting visibility for WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Marketability: Fudd’s historic win positions her as one of the most marketable athletes in the league heading into the second half of the 2026 season.
Inspiration for young players: Her rapid success validates the path from elite college basketball to immediate WNBA impact.

How Bridget Carleton and the Field Stacked Up

Bridget Carleton of the Minnesota Fire put up a strong performance to reach the final round. The Canadian guard has been a reliable three-point shooter throughout her WNBA career and proved she belonged among the competition’s elite. However, Fudd’s precision and composure in the championship round proved to be the difference.

The rest of the field featured established names in the league, but none could match the combination of accuracy and stage presence that Fudd displayed throughout the event. According to Reuters, the competition was widely praised as one of the most entertaining 3-point shootouts in recent WNBA history.

What the Win Means for Fudd and the Dallas Wings

For Fudd, the 3-point shootout title serves as a springboard for the remainder of her rookie season and her future career. Winning individual hardware at All-Star Weekend signals to the rest of the league that she is not just a promising young player but an immediate contender for postseason awards.

The Dallas Wings invested a No. 1 overall pick in Fudd, and her All-Star Weekend performance validates that decision. The franchise now has a cornerstone player whose shooting ability can stretch defenses and create opportunities for teammates, a critical asset in the modern WNBA.

For more information, see our guide on the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend highlights and results.

Key Takeaways

Azzi Fudd made history as the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-point shootout at the 2026 All-Star Weekend.
She defeated the Fire’s Bridget Carleton in the championship round, showcasing elite shooting accuracy under pressure.
Fudd is the first UConn alumna to win the WNBA 3-point contest, extending the Huskies’ legendary basketball legacy.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Fudd plays for the Dallas Wings and has been one of the top rookies this season.
Her win boosts WNBA visibility and positions her as one of the league’s most marketable and talented young stars.

FAQs

Who won the 2026 WNBA 3-point shootout?

Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings won the 2026 WNBA 3-point shootout at All-Star Weekend. She became the first rookie in WNBA history to capture the title, defeating the Fire’s Bridget Carleton in the final round.

Is Azzi Fudd the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-point contest?

Yes. According to ESPN, NBC News, and Reuters, Azzi Fudd is the first rookie ever to win the WNBA 3-point shootout. No previous first-year player had won the event in the league’s history.

What college did Azzi Fudd attend?

Azzi Fudd attended the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she became one of the most accomplished players in the program’s history. She was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings.

Who did Azzi Fudd beat in the 3-point shootout final?

Fudd defeated Bridget Carleton of the Minnesota Fire in the championship round of the 2026 WNBA 3-point shootout. Carleton advanced through the preliminary round but could not match Fudd’s shooting output in the final.

What team does Azzi Fudd play for in the WNBA?

Azzi Fudd plays for the Dallas Wings. She was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft and has been a standout performer during her rookie season.

Has any UConn player won the WNBA 3-point contest before?

No. Azzi Fudd is the first UConn Husky to win the WNBA 3-point shootout. The achievement adds to UConn’s unmatched legacy of producing elite professional basketball talent.

Conclusion

Azzi Fudd’s historic victory at the 2026 WNBA 3-point shootout marks a defining moment for both the rookie guard and the Dallas Wings franchise. By becoming the first rookie ever to win the event — and the first UConn alumna to do so — Fudd has proven that her elite shooting translates from the college level to the professional stage. Her win over Bridget Carleton in the championship round demonstrated poise, precision, and the kind of big-moment ability that separates stars from solid players. As the 2026 season continues, Fudd’s 3-point shootout title will be remembered as the moment the basketball world realized she belongs among the WNBA’s best.