The 2024 WNBA Starry 3-Point contest at All-Star weekend is set to ring in excitement with a two-round timed showdown between five of the WNBA's best deep threats.
Stefanie Dolson, Allisha Gray, Jonquel Jones , Marina Mabrey and Kayla McBride are all gearing up to compete for the 3-point contest crown. However, WNBA fans couldn't help but notice the absence of reigning champion Sabrina Ionescu and sharpshooting rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
The league said Ionescu and Clark were invited to participate in the contest but declined. Ionescu is currently absorbed in Olympic camp preparations for the upcoming 2024 Paris Games, and she apparently wanted to use Friday night to focus on that task. Clark's decision left many fans scratching their heads, especially since she’s not on the Olympic roster. Addressing the confusion, Clark emphasized the importance of resting her body and choosing recovery over the All-Star festivities.
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"I think it's just rest. I've been playing basketball for a year straight. It's not an easy thing to just show up and just shoot off of a rack. It's something I've never done before," she told reporters. "It's not something I've had time to practice and I'm focused on helping my team win games. Enjoying this break, there will be plenty of opportunities for me to do that at some point."
Despite their reasons for skipping the 3-point contest, both WNBA stars will still participate in the All-Star Game. Clark will represent Team WNBA , while Ionescu will suit up for Team USA. Adding to the excitement, Clark debuted a special edition of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro during a WNBA All-Star practice session.
The sneakers, which have been dubbed the "WNBA All-Star" PE, were reportedly given to Clark by Vanessa Bryant and featured a pink bubblegum and neon green colorway.
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WNBA 3-point contest rules for 2024
The 3-point contest will occur Friday night during the league's All-Star weekend in Phoenix. Players will take their shots from five spots around the arc of the Footprints Center, each with racks of balls. Four racks have four official WNBA game balls worth one point each and a “money” ball worth two points.
The fifth rack is all "money balls," with every shot worth double points. This year, two deep shot locations are known as “The Starry Range.” Each pedestal holds a special "Starry" ball, and hitting a shot with this one is worth three points.
The top two players from the First Round will move on to the Final Round, where they’ll compete for the 3-point crown. The format guarantees edge-of-your-seat action, showcasing the league's top shooters in a high-stakes battle.
WNBA 3-Point contest past winners
- 2023: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty [37/40]
- 2022: Allie Quigley, Chicago Sky [30/40]
- 2021: Allie Quigley, Chicago Sky [28/40]
- 2020: N/A due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2019: Shekinna Stricklen, Connecticut Sun [23/34]
- 2018: Allie Quigley, Chicago Sky [29/34]
- 2017: Allie Quigley, Chicago Sky [27/34]
- 2010: Katie Douglas, Indiana Fever [23/30]
- 2009: Becky Hammon, San Antonio Silver Stars [16/30]
- 2007: Lauren Koehn, Washington Mystics [25/30]
- 2006: Dawn Staley, Houston Comets [17/30]
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