Atlanta Dream All-Star Allisha Gray put on a dream performance on the opening night of WNBA All-Star weekend Friday night, becoming the first player to win both the Skills Challenge and the 3-point contest.
Gray won the All-Star Skills Challenge by running the course in 32.1 seconds in the final round. She beat Sophie Cunningham (34.5) of the Phoenix Mercury, who had home-field advantage at the Footprint Center.
The Dream’s fullback advanced to the finals with a first-round time of 31.2 seconds. She and Cunningham (35.5 seconds) beat Brittney Griner, Marina Mabrey and Kelsey Mitchell (replacing Erica Wheeler, who missed the event due to a canceled flight) to play for the trophy and the $55,000 prize.
The eight-year WNBA veteran then beat Jonquel Jones in the three-point contest with 22 points. Jones finished with 21 points, missing the final shot of the money ball that would have given her the win.
By winning both competitions, Gray takes home $115,150, or 62 percent of her $185,000 WNBA salary in 2024. The winners of each event received $2,575 from the league, as well as $55,000 from Aflac as part of a sponsorship deal.
“Come to think of it, I had a nice nap, maybe I’ll go golfing, go shopping,” Gray told ESPN’s Holly Rowe, after earlier saying she might use the $55,000 to start a business.
Jones (40%) and Stefanie Dolson (50%) of the Washington Mystics were arguably the favorites in the 3-point contest as the league’s top two 3-point shooters in the contest. A center-on-center finale would have been a triumph for the frontcourt players over the guards and wings who typically get all the long-range shots. Gray is shooting 36% on 3-pointers so far this season.
The skills challenge featured a timed obstacle course to test skills such as dribbling, bounce passes, chest passes and outlet passes, as well as elbow jump shots and 3-pointers from the top of the arc and the corner. The 3-Point Contest is a two-round timed competition with five shooting locations around the arc.
In the WNBA’s first 3×3 Challenge, the Olympic team of Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby, Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard, TCU’s Hailey Van Lith and Cierra Burdick defeated the U23 team of college stars including Maryland’s Christina Dalce, Creighton’s Morgan Maly, Ohio State’s Cotie McMahon, Iowa’s Lucy Olsen, LSU’s Mikaylah Williams and Wisconsin’s Serah Williams.
Here’s how Friday night’s action unfolded on Yahoo Sports’ live blog with Cassandra Negley:
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Allisha Gray Makes History
Allisha Gray absolutely crushed the skills challenge and 3-point contest tonight in a historic first for the league.
THE MOMENT.
Allisha Gray becomes the first player in WNBA history to win both the Kia Skills Challenge and the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest in the same year 🔥 pic.twitter.com/07GC5sKbij
Gray finished with 22 points in the final round, one less than her first-round score. Jones leads. She lost to Allie Quigley in 2021.
We almost had a three-point shootout between two center players. The final will pit Jonquel Jones (25 points in the first round) against Allisha Gray (23 points).
The Footprint Center is lit up watching Jonquel Jones sink all those three points. LET’S GO TO THE 6-FOOT-6-INCH CENTER TO DRAIN ALL THREE
Kayla McBride hits 20 points at the buzzer. The Lynx veteran was in fine form from beyond the arc earlier this season, leading Minnesota to the Commissioner’s Cup title last month. Mabrey is now out.
Marina Mabrey wears her brand new No. 4 Connecticut Sun jersey for the first time. She finishes in 19th place, with her new teammates Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner cheering her on on the big screen.
Allisha Gray could win $110,000 if she wins this race. She starts the competition with $23.
The three-point contest seems wide open this year. Sabrina Ionescu, who set the WNBA and NBA three-point shooting record last year, is focused on Team USA and turned down a spot. Caitlin Clark said she declined to take a much-needed break to enjoy her first All-Star. And legendary contender Allie Quigley, who hasn’t played for the W in a few seasons, has retired.
Tonight’s participants: Allisha Gray (Dream), Stefanie Dolson (Mystics), Jonquel Jones (Liberty), Kayla McBride (Lynx) and Marina Mabrey (new Sun member).
Think winning these All-Star events doesn’t matter to players, other than bragging rights? Allisha Gray earned 31% of her 2024 WNBA salary tonight. What if she won the 3-point contest?
Rhyne Howard recently missed some time with an ankle injury, and her Olympic participation seemed uncertain. She scored 12 points tonight. “Shooter’s shoot,” she told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the win.
The U23s bounced back to stay in the game, but time ran out and Team USA secured the win. You can catch Hamby, Burdick, Howard and Van Lith in Paris this month.
They announced Diana Taurasi on Jumbtron. Feel free to mention Penny Taylor, her wife who is here with her tonight, is also a WNBA icon and champion in Phoenix.
There’s been a lot of talk about growth this season. Two years ago, the skills and three-point shooting competitions were held at the Chicago Convention Center without fans. Today, Footprint is nearly full and it’s a full VIB E. A heavy presence of Mercury merch, but also plenty of people wearing All-Star jerseys for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were walking around outside today.
The arena is buzzing with excitement as Hall of Fame legend Cheryl Miller graces the big screen. She was the Mercury’s first female head coach and led the franchise to its first Finals appearance. It’s great to see history celebrated here in Phoenix this weekend.
Hailey Van Lith talked this morning about how 3×3 training is different from a college season. For one, the game is usually played outdoors (as it will be in Paris). She was recently in Las Vegas and practiced outside in the middle of the day around 2 p.m. to take full advantage of the desert heat.
Hailey Van Lith talked this morning about how 3×3 training is different from a college season. For one, the game is usually played outdoors (as it will be in Paris). She was recently in Las Vegas and practiced outside in the middle of the day around 2 p.m.
LSU star Flau’jae Johnson is on the court enjoying the All-Star weekend festivities. How long will it be before she can participate in the event?
The U23 team, which will compete in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League tournament in Mexico City next week, is comprised of sophomores Cotie McMahon (Ohio State), Lucy Olsen (Iowa), Mikaylah Williams (LSU), Christina Dalce (Maryland), Morgan Maly (Creighton) and Serah Williams (Wisconsin).
Cierra Burdick, a former WNBA player, is often considered the mother of 3×3. I spoke to her this morning about the game. Team USA is treating this game as a training camp before Paris.
“If you don’t give it your all, you’re going to be embarrassed,” Burdick said of the format in general. “I don’t want to be embarrassed and we’re also using this as preparation.”
Team USA consists of Burdick, Hailey Van Lith (former Louisville/LSU guard, current TCU guard), Dream guard Rhyne Howard and Sparks forward Dearica Hamby.
The Kia car is in great shape and for the first time in All-Star history, we’ll see a 3×3 competition between Team USA and the U23 team. That’s what I’m most excited to see. The format is booming — it could even be a developmental system for the WNBA — and it’s a first look at Team USA before it goes for a second straight Olympic gold medal.
