Azzi Fudd scorched the nets for a mind-blowing 30 of a possible 40 points in the final round of the 2026 WNBA 3-point shooting contest on Friday, making history as the first rookie to ever win the trophy in its 13-year run. She flashed that patented, sly little infectious grin she’s become adored for after her incredible performance at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire had the pole position after scoring 27 points in the first round, but once Fudd hit every single shot from the left corner in the first rack of the final round, you just knew it was over. The Dallas Wings guard got red-hot at the perfect time and is bringing that hardware back to Dallas.
From “Head-Scratching” to History
Becoming the first rookie to win this contest in over a decade? That’s a huge deal. Fudd herself said, “To be the first is definitely an honor.” She opened up about her journey, adding, “I feel like it’s, kind of going back , coming back from injuries, it was a lot of chair shooting, a lot of stationary shots, and so you get really good at shooting off a rack and being stationary and robotic, and having your shot down to a tee.” This win is a massive moment for someone who was the first overall pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft in April, selected by the Wings out of the University of Connecticut.
Wings’ Rise and Fudd’s Arrival
It wasn’t all smooth sailing to start the season for Fudd. She began her WNBA career coming off the bench for Dallas, while Olivia Miles, the Lynx rookie picked second overall, seemed to explode out of the gate, even putting up 21 points and eight assists in Minnesota’s season-opening loss. Fudd, meanwhile, scored just three and eight points in her first two WNBA games. Yeah, the head-scratching definitely commenced back then. But the rookie guard has absolutely taken steps forward all season. She dropped 24 and 22 points in back-to-back games in late May, shooting a ridiculous 9-of-17 from long range in those games. Her first WNBA start was a statement, coming in an emphatic 95-87 win over the Las Vegas Aces. That victory, more than any other this year, announced the arrival of the Wings as an emerging force, and with it, Fudd’s arrival as one of the league’s most lethal young shooting threats.
What does this mean for the rest of her rookie season? Azzi Fudd is now ranking 10th in the league with 2.2 three-pointers per game and is also 10th in total three-pointers made with 53. The WNBA better be ready to see a whole lot more from the 5-11 guard.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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