Latest news with #3pointcontest
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu gets shoutout from Mystics rookie over 3-point contest money
The post Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu gets shoutout from Mystics rookie over 3-point contest money appeared first on ClutchPoints. New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu isn't just showing out on the court this season—she's also building a legacy of leadership. After winning the 3-point contest during WNBA All-Star Weekend, Ionescu fulfilled a playful promise by splitting the prize money with Sonia Citron, a standout rookie from the Washington Mystics. The deal, made before the contest, was meant to ease the nerves of Citron, the only rookie competing. When Ionescu won the contest—scoring 30 points in the final round—she stayed true to her word, gifting half of the $62,575 prize to the Mystics rookie. The total included a $60,000 bonus from Aflac in addition to the WNBA's $2,575 award. For Citron, who earns $78,831 in her rookie season, the surprise payment represented nearly 40% of her salary. As it turns out, Citron wasn't the only one enjoying the unexpected bonus. ESPNW took to Instagram to post a shoutout from fellow Mystics rookie Georgia Amoore, who reacted to Ionescu's generosity with a dose of humor. The post featured an image of Citron and Amoore with the following quote from Amoore. 'Shout out to Sabrina [because] now I get my coffee paid for.' The post quickly gained traction, highlighting the sisterhood and support that defines the WNBA's culture. It also showed how the New York guard's actions made an impact not just on the recipient, but across her peer group as well. The gesture also reinforced Ionescu's off-court leadership. Half of the remaining prize money went to the SI20 Foundation, her personal nonprofit supporting youth sports access. The moment, fun and meaningful, showed why the Liberty sharpshooter is considered one of the league's most respected figures. On the court, Ionescu continues to shine. She is averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 assists, and nearly five rebounds per game while shooting over 93% from the line. Her recent 36-point outing in a win over the Connecticut Sun underscores just how dominant she's been for the Liberty, who remain top contenders for a championship this season. For Citron, the story will always be about more than the money—it's about being welcomed into the league with open arms. And for the rest of the WNBA, it's a reminder of how veterans like Ionescu are setting the tone for the next generation. Related: Emma Meesseman drops 'beautiful basketball' take on Liberty debut Related: Liberty pen heartfelt farewell to released WNBA champion
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lexie Hull on WNBA 3-point contest: 'I wish I could it all over again'
Lexie Hull filled in for injured Indiana Fever teammate Caitlin Clark in the WNBA 3-point contest on Friday night.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie" - Sabrina Ionescu explains why she is giving half of her 3-point contest prize to Sonia Citron
"Takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie" - Sabrina Ionescu explains why she is giving half of her 3-point contest prize to Sonia Citron originally appeared on Basketball Network. New York Liberty superstar guard Sabrina Ionescu claimed the WNBA 3-point contest on Friday night in Indianapolis to become only the second player in league history to win the event more than once, joining Allie Quigley, who won the event a record four times. Ionescu and defending champion Allisha Gray entered the final round after scoring identical 25s in the first round. But when it mattered most, it was Sabrina who made the baskets as she defeated Gray 30-22 in the championship round. "It means everything. The last time I was here in Indy against Steph, I lost. So I feel I had to come back and redeem myself," said Ionescu. Redemption in Indy for Ionescu It can be recalled that Sabrina was the NBA's guest during the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend, also held in Indiana, as she faced off against NBA all-time 3-point leader Stephen Curry in the first-ever NBA versus WNBA 3-point contest. Ionescu scored 26 points in the one-round affair, matching the highest score by a competitor in the 2024 NBA 3-point contest, which was won by Damian Lillard. However, Curry proved why he is the greatest shooter of all time when he scored 30 points and beat Ionescu in a close contest. Not only did Ionescu get her redemption on Friday night, but she also made good on her promise to give Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron half of her prize if she won the contest. "I told Sonia that I would give her half if I won when we were sitting on the bench, as being the only rookie and you know, she was nervous and I was nervous for her. So I obviously have to hold up to my end of the bargain, so half is gonna go to her. I got to text her and let her know that I'm going to give her half of it, just for participating like that. It takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie. And what she did, I was really proud of her," she said during the post-event walks home $31K richer thanks to Sabrina Citron was the No.3 overall pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft out of Notre Dame. The 21-year-old has made 35 out of 96 3-point attempts this season, or 36.5 percent. Although she ranked only in the Top 25 in 3-point shooting, she did not hesitate to accept the invitation even if she was up against stiff competition. And for that, Ionescu is rewarding her with half her prize money. She scored 19 points in the opening round of the contest. Meanwhile, Ionescu has now won two out of the last three WNBA 3-point contests. She did not participate in last year's event because she was preparing for the 2024 Olympics with the U.S team. When she won in 2023, she made 25 out of 27 total shots and scored 37 points, the most by any player both in the NBA and WNBA. Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark was supposed to be in the event. However, she had to back out at the last minute after suffering a groin injury. She was replaced by teammate Lexie Hull, who held her own with 20 points in her first try at the event. But perhaps the biggest winner is Citron, who went home $30,000 richer, thanks to Ionescu's story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Oregon Duck Sabrina Ionescu wins WNBA 3-point Contest
On Friday night, former Oregon Ducks standout point guard Sabrina Ionescu added yet another impressive accomplishment to her resume, winning her second WNBA 3-point contest. Sporting her New York Liberty jersey, Ionescu scored 30 out of a possible 40 points in the second round, defeating reigning champion Allisha Gray, who scored 22. Ionesco's 30 points tied her with Allie Quigley for the second-most in the contest's history. Ionescu owns the record with an unthinkable 37 points, set in 2023. Prior to her six seasons with the New York Liberty in the WNBA, Ionescu was one of the top players in the nation when she donned the Oregon Ducks uniform from 2016-2020. She racked up the accolades, winning the Naismith Trophy in 2020 and the Wooden and Wade Awards in 2019 and 2020. She was also the Pac-12 Player of the Year in each of her sophomore, junior and senior seasons and was named the Pac-12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player in both 2018 and 2020. It's safe to say that Ionescu left her mark at Oregon, leaving as arguably the most accomplished Duck women's basketball player of all-time and becoming a beloved figure in Eugene. Now in the WNBA, she continues to excel on the national stage. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions. This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Former Oregon Duck Sabrina Ionescu wins second WNBA 3-point contest
New York Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ionescu with a shot at more history
The New York stars won the events in Indianapolis with Fever hometown hero Caitlin Clark sidelined from the 3-point contest due to a groin injury Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has the potential to set a new 3-point contest record Friday night when she competes in the event. Ionescu made 25 of her 27 attempts in the 2023 contest, winning the event with a record 37 points. During NBA All-Star weekend in 2024, Ionescu participated in a head-to-head 3-point shootout with Warriors star Stephen Curry, but fell to Curry 29-26. She is no stranger to the event, but Ionescu said she Friday morning she "hasn't practiced once" as she prepares for her latest contest. "First time practicing will be tonight, so we'll see how that goes," she said. "My priority isn't really necessarily trying to figure out how to shoot off a rack. It's really trying to enjoy the weekend, (and) try and rest my body as much as I can." Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to tonight's skills challenge and 3-point shootout, money is absolutely on the mind of the participants. Courtney Williams, who will be in the skills challenge for the first time, is perfectly happy letting her All-Star teammate Napheesa Collier go for MVP in Saturday's game (as well as league MVP and finals MVP later this season), as Williams' focus is on tonight. "50 Ben's on the line, I gotta go get it," Williams said. Napheesa Collier embraced the chance to go head-to-head with one of the game's rising stars during All-Star practice, taking on Paige Bueckers in a one-on-one matchup. 'Paige asked me if I wanted to play ones, so of course I took her up on it,' Collier said with a grin. 'I had to kick a little rookie butt this morning for breakfast.' The playful battle highlighted the bond between current stars and the next wave of talent making its way to the WNBA. Collier couldn't help but marvel at how much the game has evolved. 'It feels like they get better every year,' she said. 'You guys are a different breed—taller, bigger, faster, stronger.' Beyond physical tools, Collier praised the energy and skill that young players like Bueckers bring. 'It's really good to see… the next generation seems like it's going to be good news.' INDIANAPOLIS — Liberty coach Sandy Brondello was a player in the first WNBA All-Star Game in 1999. That contest was held in New York City, and Whitney Houston served as the national anthem singer in a performance many who attended the event still remember. A lot has changed since, as the weekend has evolved into a true showcase for the league and its fans. Brands now parachute in as WNBA Live is in its fourth year, and player schedules are packed with appearances. Then, there's all the actual competition. "It's just always a great event," Brondello said. "There's so much going on." Getty Images Angel Reese, host of Unapologetically Angel, says she's proud to have sparked a movement in women's basketball podcasting after her show became a breakout hit. 'One of my podcasts had a million views,' Reese said, noting the impact goes far beyond hoops. 'It's bigger than basketball, knowing that I have impact in the culture—rappers, singers, artists, actors, actress.' She also teased that Season 2 is set to drop in October or November. In recent days, a wave of new shows has followed Reese's lead. Aliyah Boston and Candace Parker announced their new video podcast Post Moves, which will dive into behind-the-scenes stories and the state of the game. Azzi Fudd is launching Fudd Around and Find Out, produced in partnership with iHeartMedia and Stephen Curry's Unanimous Media, while Sue Bird's Bird's Eye View continues to deliver in-depth WNBA conversations through Vox Media and Togethxr. With stars like Reese at the forefront, the podcast boom in women's basketball is proving there's a massive appetite for players' unfiltered voices. Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — Atlanta Dream center Brionna Jones had to change her weekend plans quickly earlier this week. After Atlanta's blowout win over Chicago on Wednesday was heading to the airport to go elsewhere for a few days when she learned she would be an All-Star. Jones replaced Satou Sabally, who had to withdraw Wednesday due to injury. "I luckily had enough clothes that I brought, so I was all set on that part," Jones said Before getting front-row seats — if not participating themselves — in tonight's festivities, the WNBA's brightest stars stepped in front of the microphones to chat with media both at press conferences and at this afternoon's Orange Carpet welcome event. Our Ben Pickman, Sabreena Merchant and Bre'ana Singleton were there and have you covered on what they saw and heard from the hilarious to the insightful. Take it away, guys... The 3-point shootout comes to WNBA All-Star Weekend for the 12th time. Only one player in league history has been a multi-time winner: Allie Quigley, who won four of five shootouts from 2017 to 2022. (There was no All-Star Game in 2020.) The previous two winners are in the 2025 contest: Allisha Gray (2024) and Sabrina Ionescu (2023). Ionescu, a star with the Liberty, had the greatest round in WNBA or NBA All-Star history in the 2023 final, making 25 of 27 shots for a total score of 37. After missing her first 3-pointer, she hit 20 in a row, a mesmerizing performance that vaulted Ionescu into all-time status among shooters. For reference, the other winning scores in the current format were 22 last year, 30 in 2022 and 28 in 2021. Participants shoot from five racks spaced evenly around the 3-point line. Four of the racks have four balls valued at 1 point and one money ball worth 2. The last rack is five money balls, and the players decide where they want to place it. There are also two logo shots worth 3 points each that sandwich the middle rack, resulting in 40 possible points. As with the skills challenge, Aflac and the WNBPA are supplementing the WNBA's prize, adding $60,000 for the event's winner. Getty Images It's the 11th iteration of the WNBA All-Star skills challenge, which debuted in 2003 but then took a long hiatus from 2010 to 2019. The event features five contestants racing against the clock to complete three passes (bounce, chest and outlet) and three jumpers (elbow jumper, corner 3 and an above-the-break 3). There has never been a two-time winner of the skills challenge, let alone a repeat winner, but that's what Allisha Gray aims to accomplish in her third consecutive appearance. The other four skills challenge competitors are first-time entrants. The WNBA collective bargaining agreement pays the winner $2,575, but for the second straight season, Aflac and the Players Association will add a $55,000 purse for the winner. That is the same amount the winners receive in the NBA All-Star skills challenge and is also only $10,000 less than the minimum season-long salary in the WNBA. Getty Images Gray, who as we just mentioned is the defending champion in both the 3-point contest and skills challenge, is the only player competing in both events this year. Meanwhile, Fever guard Lexie Hull takes the spot of injured teammate Caitlin Clark in the 3-point contest. Without Clark, Gray and 3-point contest record holder Sabrina Ionescu figure to be the headliners tonight. Here's the full list of participants looking to showcase their shooting skills tonight: Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever Getty Images Glad you asked! The field is headlined by Dream guard Allisha Gray, who last year became the first player in WNBA history to win both the 3-point contest and skills challenge in the same year. Gray is back to defend her title in both events. Here's the complete list of participants in the skills challenge, which will take place first tonight: Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream Natasha Cloud, New York Liberty Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm Erica Wheeler, Seattle Storm Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx Getty Images Not only did Caitlin Clark receive the most fan votes for Saturday's exhibition — making her a team captain and starter — but she was set to make her 3-point contest debut. She declined an offer to participate in the NBA's All-Star Game 3-point shootout in February, purposefully waiting to compete in the event in Indy. It's an unfortunate reality. For her. For the Fever. For the city. And for fans, both those who traveled in for the exhibition and for those watching at home (and there were likely to be a record-breaking number of those). Getty Images Caitlin Clark's presence literally looms the largest about a mile from the Indiana Fever's Gainbridge Fieldhouse. On the east side of the JW Marriott, there is a 30-story, 113,500-square-foot banner featuring Clark pulling up for a jump shot that is visible from almost anywhere in downtown Indy. But as the city prepares to host WNBA All-Star events, Clark's absence now clouds the weekend more than the shadows cast by the towering building. Due to her groin injury, Clark will be nothing more than an ambassador for the Fever, Indianapolis and the WNBA. Clark sustained the injury late in Tuesday's victory over the Connecticut Sun. Though Clark was injury-free throughout her college career and her rookie season, this marks her fourth injury in what has been a trying season for the Fever's second-year supernova. She has missed nearly as many games (11, including the Commissioner's Cup championship) as she has played (12). Although All-Star events offer other potentially exciting storylines, it's hard to detach what will be from what could have been. Getty Images Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark announced Thursday that she will not participate in any on-court events during WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis after suffering a right groin injury Tuesday night in the Fever's road win over the Connecticut Sun. 'I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can't participate in the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game. I have to rest my body,' Clark said in a statement. 'I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action, and I'm looking forward to helping (New York Liberty coach) Sandy (Brondello) coach our team to a win.' Despite her absence from the court, Clark thanked the WNBA All-Star Host Committee for preparing the city for one of the league's marquee events. Read more below. Getty Images Let's get the biggest storyline out of the way first – no, second-year superstar and face of the All-Star host Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark will not be active for either tonight's 3-Point Contest, which she was the favorite to win, or tomorrow's All-Star Game, for which she was one of the team captains. Clark suffered a right groin injury during the Fever's game against the Connecticut Sun. It's a massively unfortunate turn of events for Clark, the Fever and the WNBA as a whole. It's been well-documented by now that Clark's rise to stardom has brought a ratings bonanza to women's basketball at both the WNBA and college levels dating back to her days at Iowa. There are still plenty of reasons to tune into tonight's action, and we'll detail those reasons shortly. But Clark's absence is still a tough blow for all involved. The basketball arena in downtown Indianapolis opened back in November 1999. It's designed to evoke the high school and college "field house" feel that dominated the historic Indiana basketball scene. The arena has been the primary home of both the Fever and the NBA's Indiana Pacers since it opened, and recently hosted Games 3, 4, and 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals which the Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game thriller. Gainbridge Fieldhouse's basketball capacity sits at 17,274. We'd love to hear your thoughts as we've reached the traditional midway point in the WNBA season! Who do you think will win tonight's 3-Point Contest with Caitlin Clark sidelined? Who's your first-half WNBA MVP? Who are you most excited to watch tonight? Sound off on any of the above, or any other WNBA All-Star topic of your choosing, by sending us an email: live@ We'll feature some of our favorites right here on our coverage tonight! The WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge starts at 8 p.m. ET, which is local time in Indianapolis. That's 5 p.m. PT on the west coast.
