All the talk heading into tonight’s WNBA All-Star 3-point contest surrounded Caitlin Clark and her refusal to take part in the famous competition.
Yet while Clark watched on from courtside and recharged her batteries, it was Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray who ended up stealing the show on a record-breaking night.
After already coming out on top in the skills challenge earlier in the evening, Gray etched her name into the history books when she toppled the New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones in the all-important 3-point contest.
The 29-year-old put up a first-round score of 23 before registering 22 in the final round, which narrowly edged Jones’ return of 21.
That victory meant she became the first ever All Star to win both competitions on the very same evening, earning her a special place in WNBA folklore.
Caitlin Clark watched on as Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray stole the show in the 3-point contest
Gray has spent the last two years with Atlanta after returning from a brief stint in Israel to work her way back into the WNBA. Prior to her time with Elitzur Ramla, she enjoyed a six-year spell with the Dallas Wings after being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft.
This weekend represents Gray’s second All-Star appearance after her debut event in 2023.
Clark, who has emerged as the biggest star in women’s basketball over the past year, was offered to participate in the 3-point contest on Friday night, only to decline the invitation ahead of Saturday’s All-Star Game.
The Indiana Fever rookie drew criticism after snubbing it, with ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr fuming that she had ‘no excuse’ to do so.
Gray became the first ever player to win both the 3-point contest and the skills challenge
The 29-year-old has spent the last two years with Atlanta after returning from a brief stint in Israel to work her way back into the WNBA
Clark, who rejected an invitation to play to avoid fatigue, watched on from courtside with Aerial Powers (left) and Aliyah Boston (right)
Yet in a conversation with reporters ahead of the skills challenge, Clark admitted she needs to prioritize her own health and wellbeing after a hectic year in the sport.
‘Honestly, I think just rest,’ she said when asked about not taking part in the competition. ‘I’ve been playing basketball for a year straight.
‘That’s not an easy thing to just show up to and shoot off a rack. It’s not something I’ve ever done before. It’s not something that I’ve had a lot of time to practice.
‘So I’m just enjoying this break. I think there’s gonna be a lot of opportunities for me to do this at some point.’
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