Azzi Fudd 3-point contest win makes rookie history at WNBA All-Star
Azzi Fudd became the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-point contest, then called out Stephen Curry for a rematch.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Azzi Fudd turned the Azzi Fudd 3-point contest buzz into WNBA history on Friday, becoming the first rookie to win the league’s All-Star 3-point shooting title, according to CBS Sports.
The Dallas Wings guard, selected No. 1 overall in the draft, finished the final round with 30 points. CBS Sports reported that she is just the fourth rookie to enter the event since it began in 2006.
Fudd said afterward, in comments shared by the NBA, that being invited to compete against the league’s top shooters was an honor. Winning, she said, made the night even bigger.
Did Azzi Fudd challenge Steph Curry?
Yes. After winning the WNBA contest, Fudd publicly asked Stephen Curry for another 3-point showdown, saying she has wanted a rematch since high school.
The Curry connection goes back to 2018, when Fudd was 15 and became one of the first female players invited to Curry’s SC30 Select Camp. CBS Sports reported that she won the camp’s 3-point contest and then faced Curry himself, losing 20-16.
Fudd said shooting against Curry at the camp was nerve-wracking and exciting, and added that beating boys in that setting brought an extra edge. She also beat Stephen Curry and Seth Curry last year at Curry Camp in China, according to CBS Sports, making four of five 3-pointers while Stephen made three and Seth made two.
How did Fudd win the WNBA 3-point contest?
Fudd opened with 24 points in the first round, enough to reach the final against Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton. Carleton had the top first-round score with 29 points.
In the final, Fudd started hot by clearing the first rack and finished by making 20 of 26 attempts, according to CBS Sports. Carleton missed her first three shots and ended with 19 points.
Fudd said on the court that her focus came from the daily routine of being a basketball player. Her celebration got splashy fast: former and current UConn and Dallas teammates, including Paige Bueckers, were on the sideline and doused her with water after the win.
Her father, Tim Fudd, told the WNBA he felt nervous while watching and said the moment was surreal, while also calling it “her element.”
- Bridget Carleton, Portland Fire: 29 points
- Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings: 24 points
- Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream: 20 points
- Janelle Salaun, Golden State Valkyries: 19 points
- Marina Mabrey, Toronto Tempo: 18 points
- Natisha Hiedeman, Seattle Storm: 17 points
Fudd’s 30-point final matched Sabrina Ionescu’s winning total from last year. Ionescu still owns the WNBA and NBA All-Star record with 37 points in 2023, according to CBS Sports.
Who won the WNBA Shooting Stars contest?
Team Washington won the inaugural WNBA Shooting Stars competition, led by WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin and high school standout Jezelle “GG” Banks.
Team Seattle scored 24 points in the final round, even after official passer Teresa Weatherspoon accidentally began four seconds late, according to CBS Sports. Washington needed one basket from the four-point spot, and Banks eventually hit the winner before adding another make before time expired.
Banks said after the win that playing with “a pro and a legend” gave her confidence. CBS Sports noted another neat link: Banks attends Ursuline Academy in Delaware, the same high school Delle Donne attended.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.