Azzi Fudd wins WNBA 3-point contest as first rookie champion
Azzi Fudd scored 30 in the final to beat Bridget Carleton and become the first rookie to win the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Azzi Fudd won the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest in Chicago on Friday night, becoming the first rookie to take the event after scoring 30 points in the final round, according to ESPN News Services.
The Dallas Wings guard, who was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, opened the championship round by making her first six shots. ESPN News Services reported that Fudd finished ahead of Bridget Carleton of the expansion Portland Fire, who scored 19 in the final after starting slowly.
Fudd’s 30-point total matched the winning score Sabrina Ionescu posted last season, according to the report.
Who did Azzi Fudd beat in the WNBA 3-point contest?
Fudd beat Carleton in the final after both players advanced from a strong opening round. Carleton led the first round with 29 points, while Fudd closed by making four of her final five shots to finish with 24, ESPN News Services reported.
Carleton’s first-round run included 13 makes on her first 16 attempts, according to the report. The crowd in Chicago included Jayson Tatum, Russell Westbrook, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Dwyane Wade and Sheryl Swoopes.
The other 3-point contestants were Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, who scored 20 points; Golden State’s Janelle Salaun, who had 19; Toronto’s Marina Mabrey, who had 18; and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman, who had 17, according to ESPN News Services.
How much did Azzi Fudd win?
Under the new CBA, Fudd received $20,000 from the league for winning the 3-point contest, while the other participants received $10,000 each, ESPN News Services reported. The report said that amount was about eight times higher than last season’s prize money.
Aflac also added prize money, as it had in the previous two years, according to the report. Fudd received $40,000 from Aflac for the win, Carleton got $30,000 for second place and Howard received $15,000 for third.
Washington wins Shooting Stars title
The All-Star festivities opened with a Shooting Stars championship for Team Washington, made up of Elena Delle Donne, Shakira Austin and high schooler Jezelle Banks, according to ESPN News Services.
Washington scored 31 points in the final to beat Seattle, with Banks making two 4-point shots from just inside halfcourt, the report said. Seattle finished runner-up with 24 points after missing all of its 4-point attempts in the final.
ESPN News Services reported that this was the first year Shooting Stars replaced the skills competition previously held during All-Star weekend. The event used a two-round, timed format, with teams getting 70 seconds to score from seven spots around the court, from layups to 4-point shots.
Washington had the top preliminary score with 35 points, helped by Banks’ 4-point shooting, according to the report. Seattle reached the final after needing to beat Detroit/Dallas’ 20 points, with high schooler Tatianna Griffin making two 4-point shots.
Minnesota finished fourth with 19 points behind Courtney Williams, Rebbekah Brunson and Ryan Carter. The Detroit/Dallas team included former Shock standout Deanna Nolan, Wings All-Star Jessica Shepard and high schooler Morghan Reckley, according to ESPN News Services.
The Shooting Stars winners each received $15,000 from the league, while other non-high school competitors received $7,500, according to the report. Aflac awarded Team Washington $40,000, Seattle $32,500 and Dallas $12,500.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.