Azzi Fudd showcased an exceptional performance during her debut WNBA All-Star weekend. The Dallas Wings guard clinched the title in the 3-point contest, becoming the first rookie to win the event.

Fudd scored 30 points in the first round, falling 10 points short of the maximum possible score. Portland Fire’s Bridget Carleton was eliminated after scoring 19 points in the same round. Fudd attempted 27 shots, missing only six, securing her victory.

Despite her success, Fudd admitted feeling anxious during the contest. She expressed, “You saw ‘only’ six shots, but I feel like that was a lot. I was really nervous, yet excited.”

Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings poses with the trophy after winning the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge STARRY 3-Point Contest at AT&T WNBA All-Star 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on July 24, 2026. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Fudd explained her confidence in the competition, attributing her prowess to muscle memory. “It’s fun to do because… and I don’t want to sound cocky… but it’s easy to me, just the set shot. Take the ball from the rack; it really is muscle memory.”

Entering the All-Star break, Fudd averaged 2.2 shots from beyond the 3-point arc this season, scoring a total of 53 3-pointers in her rookie year.

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Sabrina Ionescu, a prominent player, remarked she was never officially invited to the event.

Dallas recognized Fudd’s talent despite setbacks from injuries during her college basketball tenure and selected her as the first pick in April’s WNBA Draft.

Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings shoots during the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge STARRY 3-Point Contest at the WNBA All-Star 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on July 24, 2026. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Fudd noted how her injury-related shooting practice benefited her performance. The repetitive shooting during rehab strengthened her form, helping her excel in the contest on Friday.

“That was a lot of chair shooting, a lot of stationary shots, so you get really good at shooting off of a rack and being stationary and robotic and having to knock your shot down.”

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) reacts during the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge STARRY 3-Point Contest at the AT&T WNBA All-Star 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on July 24, 2026. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Besides the 3-point contest, the WNBA introduced a new event in Chicago: the Shooting Stars competition. This contest replaced the previous skills challenge and comprised four teams, each featuring a legend, a current player, and a young rising star. Team Washington triumphed over Team Seattle in this inaugural event.