Clark, Ionescu headline WNBA All-Star 3-point contest in Indy
After declining multiple invites in the past year, Caitlin Clark will make her pro 3-point contest debut on home court — headlining WNBA All-Star Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Caitlin Clark will take center stage during WNBA All-Star Friday night in Indianapolis.
After declining to participate in the 3-point contest both at her rookie All-Star weekend in Phoenix and during NBA All-Star Saturday night back in February, Clark has agreed to compete in Indy.
The message in January from her representatives was clear: “She wants her first three-point contest to be at WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis this summer.”
And now, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Clark will compete against four others: Sabrina Ionescu (New York), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas), Allisha Gray (Atlanta), and Sonia Citron (Washington).
“Not much went into it other than ‘yes,’ I guess,” Clark said Tuesday before playing the Connecticut Sun at Boston’s TD Garden. “Obviously, it's exciting. I've never participated in a 3-point competition before, never practiced before, so just go out there and have fun.”
The participants for the Skills Challenge, which will lead into the 3-point contest, were also announced:
Allisha Gray (Atlanta)
Skylar Diggins (Seattle)
Erica Wheeler (Seattle)
Natasha Cloud (New York)
Courtney Williams (Minnesota)
Gray swept both events last year in Phoenix and now has the opportunity to defend her titles in Indy.
The events begin at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The annual All-Star game will follow on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
For the 3-point contest… Ionescu is the featured matchup against Clark, Gray is the defending champion, Plum is a big name, and Citron — a Notre Dame alum — adds local intrigue. It has the makings to be the most compelling All-Star Friday night in league history.
“I think the lineup of people competing is tremendous,” Clark continued. “So more than anything, it's just going to be really great for our league and for women's basketball as a whole just to have a lot of fun and experience that.
“I'm just excited. I think Friday, the skills competition and (3-point contest) will be a really exciting time and it will lead right into Saturday of a really great game as well.”
Previously, this night has been an afterthought. Last year’s edition was not memorable. But this one is expected to draw millions of viewers — far more than ever before.
One year ago, I asked both Clark and Ionescu about it not being the right time in Phoenix. Clark was fresh into her rookie season, exhausted, and was looking forward to almost a month off for the Olympic break. She would have plenty of seasons to do it.
“I think the biggest thing for me is I need a break and I need to take some time to myself to enjoy what I want to do,” Clark said. “And at times that can be tough being in the position that I'm in, but I think it's gonna be healthiest for myself.”
Added Ionescu: “This would have been an amazing opportunity for us to be able to do it here. But I think also just understanding we're both so young in the league, we're gonna have so many years to be able to do it when the timing’s I think a little bit right.
“For her, she just finished her college season two months ago or three months ago and I think just has a lot going on. So I don't really blame her for wanting to just get in and get out, get the break that she probably really needs. The future is bright for her, in terms of what she's gonna be able to do at All-Star games.”
The 3-point contest is a two-round, timed competition featuring five players. There will be five racks spaced around the arc. Four of the five racks will feature four regular balls and one money ball worth two points. One rack will contain only money balls.
In addition, there will be two STARRY balls worth three points each. The top two scores will advance to the final round.
Clark has missed nearly half the season due to injuries — first a left quad strain, and more recently, a left groin issue — which has impacted her shooting. She’s currently 28-for-97 (28.9%) from beyond the arc this season.
“I'm happy that she's doing it,” head coach Stephanie White said, “certainly in the state of Indiana and Indianapolis. It’s a great opportunity for her to continue to showcase what she does best to our fans and to WNBA All-Star fans.
“No pointers for her (from me). I think that she's getting there. She's working through the injuries. She's getting rhythm, timing, re-acclimated — all of those things matter when you're a 3-point shooter. And I think we've seen it throughout the course of great shooters during this season. I mean, the schedule is brutal. And fatigue is a factor. And then fatigue and you couple that (with) coming back from injury. But I'm not worried about her shot. I'll be pulling for her in the shootout.”
Last season, Clark was a finalist for MVP and set a franchise record with 122 made 3s — the most in a single season.
The league is awarding $2,575 to each event winner, as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. (Expect that number to rise significantly in the next CBA.)
However, for the second straight year, Aflac is stepping up:
$55,000 to the Skills Challenge winner
$60,000 to the 3-point Contest winner
This will be an entertaining event — one that a sold-out crowd inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse and millions watching on ESPN will enjoy.
Clark wanted her 3-point contest debut to happen in Indy, where she plays for the Fever. While her priority this season has been getting healthy and helping her team, she’s embracing the moment. She’ll take it seriously — and have fun doing it.
Looks like you jumped the gun. Caitlin is hurt. Groin injury not healed. Looks she is out for a while.