Azzi Fudd. Image via: Getty Images Azzi Fudd’s parents have played a defining role in her basketball journey, and the Dallas Wings rookie added another milestone to that story by winning the 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest on Friday night in Chicago. The No. 1 overall pick defeated Portland Fire guard Bridget Carleton in the final at Wintrust Arena, becoming the first rookie and first UConn alum to capture the event.The victory added to an already remarkable year for Fudd, who helped UConn win the national championship before entering the WNBA. Her rise has been shaped by a family deeply rooted in basketball, with both of her parents playing and coaching the sport long before she emerged as one of the game’s brightest young stars.
Who are Azzi Fudd’s parents?
Azzi Fudd with her parents Katie Smrcka-Duffy Fudd and Tim Fudd. Image via: Getty Images
Basketball has been part of Azzi Fudd’s life since childhood, largely because of her parents, Katie Smrcka-Duffy Fudd and Tim Fudd.Katie enjoyed an outstanding college career, first starring at NC State, where she earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors, before transferring to Georgetown. She later entered the professional ranks after being selected by the Sacramento Monarchs in the fourth round of the 2001 WNBA Draft. Injuries cut her playing career short, but she remained in basketball through coaching.Tim also played at a high level. He starred at American University from 1991 to 1996, earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors, played professionally in Europe, and later transitioned into coaching.Fudd has often credited her parents for building the foundation of her game. After helping UConn win the 2025 NCAA championship, she said, “They’re the reason I’m playing basketball. They taught me most of the things I know, so shout-out Mom and Dad.”Her mother’s experience has remained a major source of motivation. Speaking to ESPN in 2022, Fudd explained, “I want to achieve her dreams that she didn’t get to achieve and do the things that she couldn’t do.”Katie and Tim also co-founded GTS Fusion, a Washington, D.C.-area girls basketball development program, where they continue mentoring young athletes while helping shape their daughter’s career.
Who are Azzi Fudd’s siblings?
Azzi Fudd has three brothers: Thomas, Jon and Jose.Jon and Jose joined the family after Tim and Katie took custody following the death of Tim’s mother, Georgia, who had been fostering the boys before passing away from lung cancer in 2011. The brothers, who have Guatemalan roots, have remained a close part of the Fudd family.Reflecting on their unique family dynamic, Azzi once said, “All of us look like we come from a different family. But, that’s something I love about the way we look.”Katie shared a similar perspective.“We have a lot of jokes in the house about how everybody looks, but it’s the family. It’s what we know. I wouldn’t look at us and say we don’t belong, because to me, we fit together perfectly. But I do think it is funny sometimes how others see it.”Basketball also became a way for the siblings to connect while growing up. Fudd recalled those moments with a smile.“Basketball definitely was a way for us to bond. Like, good bonding and bad bonding. I don’t know if they told you, but there were some balls thrown at people at times,” she said.
Azzi Fudd scripts history with 3-point contest win
Fudd arrived in Chicago carrying a reputation as one of basketball’s purest shooters. She developed that identity during her standout high school career at St. John’s College High School before becoming one of UConn’s most accomplished perimeter threats.She finished her Huskies career fifth in school history with 292 made 3-pointers and seventh in 3-point percentage at 42.2 percent across 115 games. Her shooting has translated immediately to the WNBA, where she ranks among the league leaders with 53 made triples while shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc during her rookie season.After scoring 24 points in the opening round to reach the final, Fudd overwhelmed Carleton 30-19 by knocking down 21 of her 27 attempts. She opened the championship round by making her first six shots and hit at least four shots on every rack.Following the victory, Fudd told ESPN’s Holly Rowe, “I’m so grateful. This is amazing. To be here and invited to do this … The crowd and turn out tonight was awesome.”Her approach entering the deciding round was straightforward.”Just doing what I’ve been doing, being disciplined, being confident and letting the ball fly,” Fudd said after revealing that her plan was simply to “make them all.”
What’s next for Azzi Fudd after All-Star weekend?
The 3-point contest title adds another landmark achievement to a season that has already exceeded expectations for the Wings rookie. It also reinforces why Dallas selected her with the first overall pick after her decorated UConn career.The spotlight now shifts to Saturday night’s WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center in Chicago, where Fudd will have another opportunity to showcase the shooting that has quickly become one of the league’s biggest attractions while continuing a family legacy built through decades of basketball.