Latest news with #WNBAAllStarSkillsChallenge
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Sabrina Ionescu wins WNBA 3-point Contest
Jul 18, 2025; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competes in the final round of the three-point contest during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge. (Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images/REUTERS) New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu won her second WNBA 3-point Contest on Friday in Indianapolis as part of All-Star weekend festivities. Natasha Cloud made it a clean sweep for the Liberty, as Ionescu's first-year teammate won the skills competition. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was set to compete in the 3-point Contest in front of her home fans, but due to her latest groin injury on Tuesday she was forced to drop out of both that and the All-Star Game itself, which will take place Saturday. It would have taken a mammoth night for Clark to win if she had played. Ionescu racked up 30 points in the contest, tied for the second-highest total in its history. In the final round she defeated Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, the 2024 winner. Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks placed third, Lexie Hull of the Fever was fourth and Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron came in fifth. Ionescu said afterward that she planned to gift half of her $62,575 prize to Citron and donate the other half to her foundation. "I told Sonia that I would give half if I won ... As being like the only rookie, and she was nervous, and I was nervous for her," said Ionescu, who first won the competition in 2023. "Just for participating, that takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie and what she did, and I was really proud of her." Cloud completed the skills competition obstacle course in 36.4 seconds to beat Erica Wheeler of the Seattle Storm by just 1.1 seconds. Cloud said her prize money would be used as a down payment on a house for her and her girlfriend, New York teammate Isabelle Harrison. The All-Star Game between Team Clark and Team Collier, captained by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. --Field Level Media/Reuters
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Basketball-Ionescu, Cloud carry Liberty torch in WNBA 3-point, skills contests
Jul 18, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu receives her trophy from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for the three-point contest during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) -Liberty teammates Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud swept the opening night of the WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis on Friday, winning the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge, respectively, to bring more hardware to New York. Ionescu made 11 straight shots en route to her second career title in the event, obliterating the defending champion Allisha Gray with 30 points, after Cloud sprinted through the passing-and-shooting gauntlet earlier in the evening. It was another high point for the new teammates, after Cloud signed with the defending champions in the off-season and immediately made an impact, helping New York to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. "She continues to bring a different element to our team every single night," said Liberty captain Ionescu. "Her kind of willingness to do everything, whatever it takes, for the team to win is what she's going to be able to do every single night. It takes a pro's pro to be able to do that." Fans poured into Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday for the prelude to Saturday's All-Star Game, where Cloud brought the house down as she edged Seattle Storm's Erica Wheeler by 1.1 seconds in the Skills Challenge to walk away $55,000 richer. She kissed her teammate and girlfriend Isabelle Harrison on the sideline after taking the prize, later promising the purse would go toward a down payment on a home together. "Baby, you're gonna get that house," Cloud said. The moment was validation for Cloud, who was included in the event despite being passed up for the All-Star roster yet again. "I'm meant to be here, meant to be on this level, I'm confident in who I am, I know who I am, and whether I get the flowers or not, I do my job," said Cloud. She stayed on the sidelines to cheer on Ionescu, who had a target on her back after winning the 3-Point Contest with a record-breaking 37 points two years ago and nervously wiped her hands on her jersey before picking up the first ball. She came up short of her record mark but dazzled with a series of clutch baskets and later said she had promised half her prize to fellow competitor Sonia Citron, a rookie for the Washington Mystics. "I obviously have to hold up my end of the takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie," Ionescu told reporters. "I think I might have a limit on Venmo." (Reporting by Amy Tennery in Indianapolis; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Natasha Cloud Might Be the Most Underrated Leader in the WNBA: "She Continues to Show There's No Limit"
New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud receives her trophy from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Image via Imagn). In a league that often spotlights scorers and viral moments, it's easy to overlook the glue players—the ones who build chemistry, drive accountability, and turn teams into contenders. But Natasha Cloud isn't just any role player. She's the heartbeat of every roster she touches, a vocal leader and elite competitor whose impact extends far beyond the numbers. Why Natasha is The Engine Behind the Team Natasha Cloud has long commanded respect across the WNBA for her tenacious leadership, vocal presence, and ability to lift everyone around her. Whether it's during shootaround or the final minutes of a game, her influence is unmistakable. Teammates consistently praise her leadership skills, including Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, who called her 'our best leader so far,' citing Cloud's on- and off-court communication as a catalyst for team cohesion. On the floor, Cloud is a cerebral floor general. Her career assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.65 reflects a player who brings control, structure, and decision-making precision—particularly in crunch time. Her value isn't just on offense. Cloud's resume includes two WNBA All-Defensive Team selections, and her ability to contain top-tier guards adds immense value on the other end of the court. How Cloud Elevates Every Team She Joins Natasha Cloud (Image via AP Photo by Ross D. Franklin) Natasha Cloud's presence immediately transforms team dynamics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Exciting Offers on vivo X200 FE ViVO X200 FE Book Now Undo Her debut for the Liberty in 2025, after a post-2024 trade from Phoenix and Connecticut, was a masterclass in two-way dominance: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. With game-changing plays in the fourth quarter, she powered her new team past the defending champs. The crowd of 17,000+ at Barclays Center recognized it, giving her a standing ovation that felt like long-overdue appreciation. Since joining New York, Natasha Cloud has flourished. Her high basketball IQ meshes seamlessly with the Liberty's up-tempo system, where she orchestrates possessions and steps up to defend stars like Caitlin Clark. Whether it's creating looks for Breanna Stewart , Sabrina Ionescu, or Jonquel Jones, or taking over when the offense stalls, Cloud's production and efficiency have reached new heights—statistically and emotionally. 'She just continues to show people there's no limit to what someone's capable of doing,' said longtime teammate Myisha Hines-Allen, praising Cloud's continued growth and leadership. Natasha Cloud: A Voice Beyond Basketball Natasha Cloud's influence isn't limited to the hardwood. A fierce advocate for social justice, she's used her platform to speak out on police brutality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial equity. In 2020, she sat out the season to protest systemic injustice, organizing marches and amplifying community voices. A recipient of the 2019 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, Cloud's example off the court is just as powerful as her performance on it. She's also a mentor, often guiding younger teammates and building a culture of empathy, accountability, and activism. Her holistic approach to leadership—balancing fire with compassion—makes her one of the most respected voices in the league. Why She's Still Undervalued Despite her resume, Natasha Cloud has often flown under the national radar. While other stars dominate ad campaigns and headlines, she remains the league's unofficial captain—the one players follow and coaches trust when it matters most. Now in a major market with a real title shot, Cloud is finally getting the spotlight she deserves. Also read: Stephen Curry Reacts To The Golden State Warriors Evolving Dynasty as Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney Depart: 'We Avoided All The Evils' She may not be the first name fans think of when talking WNBA stars—but within locker rooms, she's the one who changes everything. The most underrated leader in the WNBA? Ask anyone who's shared a court with her—it's Natasha Cloud, hands down. And her best chapter might still be ahead. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
