When Azzi Fudd showed up at WNBA All-Star Weekend, she was the sole rookie in the entire 3-point contest field. She left Chicago holding that trophy high, becoming the first rookie ever to capture the event and completely rewriting what we thought was possible for a newcomer. Fudd’s victory wasn’t just a win, it was a statement that she’s here, she’s a problem, and the WNBA better be ready for what’s coming next.
Rookie Fire vs. Veteran Sharpshooters
Fudd didn’t just beat some randos either. This was a stacked field of established long-range assassins, and she delivered under serious pressure. We’re talking Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard, Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey, Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun, Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton, and yeah, even our own Seattle Storm guard, Natisha Hiedeman, was out there slingin’ it. Fudd, at 23 years old, was the only first-year player invited to compete, but she clearly wasn’t there to simply represent. She was there to dominate, and the WNBA was quick to shout it from the rooftops after her victory, declaring it “A historic night for Azzi Fudd. She’s the first rookie EVER to win the WNBA 3-PT shooting contest.”
A Journey of Composure and Pure Skill
Anyone who’s watched Fudd knows she’s got one of the smoothest strokes in women’s basketball, and she proved it on that huge stage. She remained cool as ice, composed while moving around the perimeter, and knocked down enough shots to breeze through the opening round before finishing the job in the championship. The contest itself added a new wrinkle, with five traditional shooting locations, money balls worth two points, and deep “From the Logo” attempts worth three points. That increased difficulty wasn’t enough to stop Fudd from making history. Her victory is even wilder when you consider the experience surrounding her: Mabrey and Howard had competed in this event before, and every other player in the field had already established herself as a dangerous WNBA shooter. Fudd was the newcomer. By the end of the night, she was the champion.
This 3-point title is the latest chapter in Fudd’s incredible story. Dallas selected her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, a move that looks genius now after her decorated college career. She’s a UConn legend already, winning a national championship in 2025 and bagging the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player award after dropping 24 points in that title game. It hasn’t been an easy ride, though. She’s fought through multiple significant injuries, including serious knee issues that kept her off the court, but she kept working, kept grinding, and became the player everyone expected when she was the nation’s top high school recruit. She entered All-Star Weekend averaging 13.2 points per game for the Wings, a critical perimeter weapon alongside Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
What a start to her pro career! We’ll be watching Fudd and the Wings for the rest of the season to see what more this rookie phenom can do. But let’s also give a massive shoutout to our own Natisha Hiedeman for reppin’ the Emerald City out there in Chicago. Keep battling, Storm!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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