Grading every player at the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend - TSN
Youth talent shines in All-Star competitions
The WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago showcased emerging talent during the 3-point and Shooting Stars competitions held at Wintrust Arena. Dallas Wings guard and top draft pick Azzi Fudd became the first rookie to secure the 3-point trophy. In the Shooting Stars event, high school player Jezelle “GG” Banks played a significant role for Team Washington, which also included Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin and Elena Delle Donne. Austin acknowledged Banks’s contribution, stating, “She carried. She carried,” and noted her energy and confidence.
Fudd’s victory in the 3-point contest was marked by a strong performance, particularly in the final round where she scored 30 points. This score is tied for the second-highest ever recorded in the competition, matching previous totals by Sabrina Ionescu and Allie Quigley. Fudd expressed surprise and honour at being the first rookie to win the event. She also playfully suggested a rematch with Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, referencing a previous 3-point competition they had when she was in high school.
For her win, Fudd received $20,000 from the new CBA, with each participant in the 3-point contest receiving $10,000. Additionally, Aflac awarded Fudd an extra $40,000, bringing her total winnings to a significant amount. Bridget Carleton, who finished second, received $30,000 from Aflac, and Rhyne Howard, who placed third, received $15,000.
3-point contest highlights and Ionescu’s absence
The 3-point contest featured several notable performances. Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire delivered a strong performance in the opening round, scoring 29 points. She hit 13 of her first 16 shots. However, she scored 19 points in the final round. Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream scored 20 points, while Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries finished with 19 points. Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo scored points, and Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm had points.
A notable absence from the 3-point contest was New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, who clarified on July 22 that she had not received an official invitation to defend her title. Ionescu, who has won the title twice in 2023 and 2025, expressed surprise at media reports suggesting she had declined an offer. She stated her eagerness to compete and set the record straight, emphasizing that she could not decline an invitation she never received. The WNBA responded with a statement indicating their general process involves reaching out to agents to gauge player interest.
Ionescu’s 2025 victory saw her score 30 of 40 points in the final round. Her record-setting performance in 2023 included scoring 37 points. Despite not participating this year, Ionescu expressed excitement to watch the event and see who would be crowned the new champion.
Shooting Stars competition debuts
The Shooting Stars competition made its debut this year, replacing the skills competition from previous All-Star weekends. The format involved a two-round, timed shooting competition where teams had 70 seconds to score points from seven locations on the court, including a 4-pointer. Team Washington, comprising Elena Delle Donne, Shakira Austin, and Jezelle Banks, won the championship by scoring 31 points in the finals, narrowly defeating Seattle’s team.
Team Washington had the highest score in the preliminary round with 35 points. Seattle’s squad, which included high schooler Tatianna Griffin, advanced to the finals by surpassing the 20 points set by the Detroit/Dallas team. Minnesota finished in fourth place with 19 points. Each winner in the Shooting Stars competition received $15,000, and each competitor, excluding high school players, received $7,500. Aflac also provided additional prize money, with Team Washington receiving $40,000, Seattle $32,500, and Dallas $12,500.
Source: tsn.ca
