PHOENIX (AP) — Allisha Gray became the first player in WNBA history to win both the 3-point and skills competition in the same year, capturing both titles Friday night.
The Atlanta Dream guard topped Jonquel Jones 22-21 in the 3-point shootout finals after edging Sophie Cunningham in the skills competition by just over 2 seconds.
Jones was looking to become the first post-player to win the 3-point contest. She also made the finals in 2021 before losing to four-time champion Allie Quigley. Jones had a chance to win the contest, but her last shot — the two-point money ball — fell short.
She scored 25 points in the opening round — tops amongst the five competitors. Gray had 23 points.
Neither defending champion Sabrina Ionescu or sensational rookie Caitlin Clark competed in the 3-point contest this year. Ionescu is playing for the U.S. at the Olympics and is focused on getting ready for the Paris Games.
After virtually playing non-stop for nine months between college and the WNBA, Clark just wanted to take some time to relax.
“I think the biggest thing was for me, it’s just like I need a break,” she said. “I’m going to take some time for myself to enjoy what I want to do, and at times that can be in the tough position I’m in, but I think it was the healthiest for myself.”
Brittney Griner was the only member of the U.S. Olympic Team who participated in either competition. She finished the obstacle course in 46.3 seconds.
There was also a 3-on-3 exhibition game between the U.S. team headed to the Paris Olympics and an under-23 team featuring top college players.
The Olympic team won the tight contest 19-16 as Rhyne Howard scored the final eight points for the victors, hitting four 2-point shots. She finished the game scoring 12 of the team’s 19 points.
The game is played with one and two-point baskets for 10 minutes or until a team scores 21 points.
Marina Mabrey, who was traded from Chicago to Connecticut on Wednesday wore a Sun jersey for the first time. She and Gray participated in both the skills competition and 3-point shootout. Mabrey just missed making the finals of the skills contest.
Gray received $2,575 from the league for each victory, per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but also got $110,000 from Aflac as part of a partnership between with the WNBPA.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
