Youth Shines in All-Star Competitions
Wintrust Arena in Chicago was the setting for the WNBA All-Star 3-point and Shooting Stars competitions, where youth talent was prominently featured. Dallas Wings guard and top draft pick Azzi Fudd secured the 3-point trophy, marking the first time a rookie has achieved this. In the Shooting Stars event, prep player Jezelle “GG” Banks played a key role for Team Washington.
Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin commented on Banks’ performance, stating, “She carried. She carried. You could just tell her energy as soon as we started.” Fudd, who has made 53 of 137 3-pointers this season for the Wings, expressed that her victory provides a boost for the remainder of the season. She noted that while a 3-point competition differs from in-game shooting, the win offers an “extra boost going into the second half [of the season].”
3-Point Contest Highlights
Azzi Fudd delivered a strong performance in the 3-point contest. In the opening round, she hit four shots from both the first rack and the top of the key. Fudd, who went first in the final round, mentioned that this allowed her to manage her nerves early on. She started the final by making all five shots on the first rack and continued her momentum, making four more from the top of the key and four from the last rack.
Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire was a strong contender, demonstrating impressive shooting in the first round, which included a perfect final rack. Carleton, who previously played for the Minnesota Lynx, has been a leading player for the expansion Fire this season, with 67 of 179 3-pointers made. Her performance in the final round was not as sharp.
Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, the 2022 No. 1 draft pick, has made at least 80 3-pointers in each of her first four WNBA seasons and is approaching that mark this season with 79 of 223. She showed consistency in the contest, making either two or three shots on each rack. Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries, who comes off the bench, finished strongly in the fourth and fifth racks. Salaun is the Valkyries’ top 3-point shooter this season, making 67 of 170 3-pointers, and was also their best from beyond the arc last season with 63 of 172.
Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo leads the WNBA in 3-pointers this season with 82. Despite being a first-time All-Star and a potential favourite, she had a slow start in the competition, making only one shot on the first rack. Her initial shots were close but did not fall, which impacted her overall performance. Mabrey has had six games this season with at least five 3-pointers, including two games where she made nine. Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm did not make a shot on the first rack and was the first to be eliminated. Hiedeman, in her first season in Seattle after five years in Connecticut and two in Minnesota, has made 58 of 169 3-pointers and provides a veteran presence for the young Storm team.
Ionescu’s Absence from 3-Point Contest
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu clarified on July 22 that she did not receive an official invitation to participate in this year’s WNBA 3-point Contest. She expressed surprise at media reports suggesting she had declined an offer to compete. Ionescu emphasized her desire to compete whenever possible, stating that she could not decline an invitation she never received. She further clarified, “I can’t decline an offer that I officially didn’t get invited to. So I was pretty surprised to see that. Never got invited.”
Ionescu, who has won multiple titles in the contest, stated her commitment to competing at the highest level and representing the Liberty and the league. The WNBA responded to Ionescu’s claim with a statement indicating their general process involves contacting agents to gauge player interest, with some accepting and others declining. Ionescu mentioned she was looking forward to watching the event and seeing who would become the new champion.
Source: tsn.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
