Youth Shines in All-Star Competitions
Chicago was the setting for the WNBA All-Star 3-point and Shooting Stars competitions at Wintrust Arena. The event highlighted emerging talent, with Dallas Wings guard and top draft pick Azzi Fudd securing the 3-point trophy. Prep player Jezelle “GG” Banks also made a notable impact, leading Team Washington in the Shooting Stars event.
Shakira Austin, a centre for the Washington Mystics, commented on Banks’ performance, stating, “She carried. She carried. You could just tell her energy as soon as we started.” Fudd, who has made 53 of 137 3-pointers this season for the Wings, expressed that her victory in the competition provides a boost for the latter part of the season. She noted that while a 3-point competition differs from in-game shooting, the win offers an “extra boost going into the second half [of the season].”
3-Point Contest Highlights
In the 3-point contest, Fudd demonstrated strong form, particularly on the first rack and from the top of the key in the initial round. She hit four shots from both positions. Fudd mentioned that going first in the final helped her manage her nerves, allowing her to establish a rhythm early on. She made all five shots on the first rack and maintained momentum from the top of the key, where she again made four shots. She also made four shots from the final rack. Fudd’s shooting is a distinct aspect of her game and has now earned her a significant accolade in her first WNBA season. She indicated a willingness to return to the 3-point contest next year if invited.
Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire was another strong performer, leading the first round. Carleton, who previously played for the Minnesota Lynx, has been a key player for the expansion Fire this season, making 67 of 179 3-pointers. Her performance in the final round was not as sharp. Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, a 2022 No. 1 draft pick, has made at least 80 3-pointers in each of her first four WNBA seasons and is nearing that mark halfway through the current season, with 79 of 223 3-pointers. She showed consistency in the competition, hitting either two or three shots on each rack.
Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries also had a strong finish, making four shots each from the fourth and fifth racks. However, the top of the key proved challenging for Salaun, where she made only one shot. After starting last season as a rookie, Salaun has been a bench player for the Valkyries this season and is their leading 3-point shooter, with 67 of 170 3-pointers. She also led the team in 3-point shooting last season, making 63 of 172.
Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo, a first-time All-Star, leads the WNBA in 3-pointers this season with 82, surpassing Howard’s 79. Despite this, she had a slow start in the competition, making only one shot on the first rack. Her initial shots were close but did not fall, which impacted her overall performance. Mabrey has had six games this season with at least five 3-pointers, including two games where she made nine.
Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm did not hit a shot on the first rack, which set a difficult tone for her performance. Her strongest area was the top of the key, where she made four shots. Hiedeman is in her first season in Seattle after five years in Connecticut and two in Minnesota. She has made 58 of 169 3-pointers and provides a veteran presence for the young Storm team.
Ionescu Not Invited to Defend Title
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu clarified on July 22 that she did not receive an official invitation to defend her title in this year’s WNBA 3-point Contest. She expressed surprise at reports suggesting she had declined an offer to participate. Ionescu stated that she is always eager to compete and could not turn down an invitation she never received. She emphasized her commitment to competing at the highest level and representing the Liberty and the league in such contests, aiming to set the record straight regarding the rumour.
In response to Ionescu’s claim, the WNBA issued a statement indicating their general process involves contacting agents to gauge a player’s interest, with some accepting and others declining. Ionescu is one of only two players in league history to win multiple 3-point titles, having secured victories in 2023 and 2025. In 2025, she won the title by scoring a significant number of points in the final round, surpassing Allisha Gray. Her 2025 performance was close to the league record she set in 2023.
Source: tsn.ca
