Azzi Fudd, the standout rookie guard from Dallas and the No. 1 overall pick, made history on Friday by becoming the first-ever rookie to claim victory in the WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest. Her remarkable performance marked a significant milestone in the annual event.
Fudd began the competition strongly, posting a 24-point score that outpaced several elite contenders. Among her rivals were Rhyne Howard from Atlanta, who scored 20 points; Janelle Salaün of Golden State with 19; Toronto’s Marina Mabrey at 18; and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman, who finished with 17 points. This initial round secured Fudd a spot in the final against Portland’s Bridget Carleton, who led the qualifiers with 27 points.
In the final round, Fudd elevated her game to an exceptional level. She flawlessly sank all five balls from the first rack and maintained a high shooting percentage, converting 20 of her 26 attempts. This effort culminated in a commanding 30-point total, overshadowing Carleton’s 19 points and sealing her victory.
All participants received a base prize of $10,000. In addition, Fudd earned a $20,000 bonus for her win, totaling $40,000 from Aflac. Carleton, as runner-up, was awarded an additional $30,000, while Howard took home $15,000 for her performance.
Reflecting on her success, Fudd told ESPN, “This is what you do every single day as a basketball player. I just want to see the ball go in.”
Team Washington Claims Victory in the WNBA All-Star Weekend’s Shooting Stars Challenge
The excitement continued as Team Washington emerged victorious in the inaugural WNBA All-Star Weekend Shooting Stars Challenge. The team, composed of Mystics center Shakira Austin, franchise icon Elena Delle Donne, and promising high school talent Jezelle “GG” Banks, outperformed Team Seattle with a 31-24 win.
In recognition of their success, Team Washington split Aflac’s $85,000 prize purse, receiving $22,500 each for their efforts. This event marked a celebrated addition to the All-Star festivities, spotlighting the depth and skill across different generations of women’s basketball.