In a remarkable display of sharpshooting, Azzi Fudd etched her name in the WNBA record books during her inaugural All-Star weekend. The Dallas Wings guard clinched the 3-point contest title on Friday night, achieving a feat no other rookie has accomplished before: becoming the league’s 3-point champion.
A Historic Performance
Fudd’s journey through the competition was nothing short of spectacular. She blazed through the first round, amassing an impressive 30 points, just ten shy of a perfect score. This dominant performance saw her advance, leaving competitors like Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire behind, who scored 19 points in the opening round. Fudd’s accuracy was on full display as she took 27 shots, sinking all but six, to secure the prestigious title.
Despite the flawless execution, Fudd admitted to feeling the pressure. “You saw ‘only’ six shots, but I feel like that was a lot,” she confessed, reflecting on the moments before her victory. “But honestly, I was really nervous. I was excited.”
Muscle Memory and a Unique Advantage
When asked about her seemingly effortless shooting, Fudd offered a glimpse into her mindset. “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. It’s what I’ve been doing since I was young,” she explained. This season, Fudd has been a consistent threat from beyond the arc, averaging 2.2 three-point attempts per game and sinking 53 triples so far in her rookie campaign.
Fudd’s path to this moment wasn’t without its challenges. While injuries marked parts of her college career, the Dallas Wings recognized her immense talent, selecting her as the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Ironically, the very setbacks that hampered her college play provided an unexpected edge. The extensive stationary shooting Fudd undertook during rehabilitation honed her form and built the precise rhythm required for the contest’s demands. “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,” she noted.
A New All-Star Event Debuts
Prior to the 3-point contest, the WNBA introduced a new attraction to its All-Star festivities in Chicago: the Shooting Stars competition. This event replaced the traditional skills challenge and featured four teams, each comprising a former player designated as a legend, a current WNBA player, and a promising young talent. In a thrilling conclusion to the inaugural competition, Team Washington emerged victorious over Team Seattle.
Looking Ahead
Azzi Fudd’s triumph in the 3-point contest not only marks a personal milestone but also sets a new precedent for future rookies in the league. Her performance underscores her potential as a rising star and a significant force in the WNBA for years to come. As the All-Star break concludes, Fudd and her Dallas Wings teammates are poised to continue their season, carrying the momentum from this historic win.
