In the lead-up to tonight’s WNBA All-Star 3-Point Game, there has been a lot of talk about Caitlin Clark and her refusal to participate in the famed competition.
But while Clark watched from the sidelines and recharged her batteries, it was Atlanta Dreams star Allisha Gray who stole the show during a record-breaking night.
After emerging victorious in the Skills Challenge earlier in the evening, Gray wrote her name into the history books when she defeated New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones in the all-important 3-point contest.
The 29-year-old scored 23 points in the first round, followed by 22 in the final round, narrowly beating Jones’ score of 21.
With that win, she became the first All Star ever to win both competitions on the same night, earning her a special place in WNBA folklore.
Caitlin Clark watched 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 find her way back to the WNBA. Before her time with Elitzur Ramla, she enjoyed a six-year stint with the Dallas Wings after being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft.
This weekend marks Gray’s second All-Star appearance following her debut event in 2023.
Clark, who has emerged as the biggest star in women’s basketball over the past year, was offered the opportunity to participate in Friday night’s 3-point contest, but he declined the invitation prior to Saturday’s All-Star Game.
The Indiana Fever rookie was criticized after she turned down the offer, with ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr. furious that she had “no excuse” to do so.
However, speaking to reporters ahead of the Skills Challenge, Clark admitted she has to prioritise her own health and wellbeing after a hectic year in the sport.
“Honestly, I think I just need to rest,” she said when asked why she wasn’t competing. “I’ve been playing basketball non-stop for a year.
“That’s not something you can just do and shoot off a rack. It’s not something I’ve ever done before. It’s not something I’ve had a lot of time to practice.
“So I’m just enjoying this break. I think at some point there will be a lot of opportunities for me to do this.”