Atlanta's Allisha Gray Makes WNBA History At All-Star Weekend

PHOENIX (AP) — Allisha Gray turned WNBA All-Star weekend’s opening night into her own show.

The Atlanta Dream guard had a historic evening, becoming the first player to win both the 3-point and skills competition in the same year Friday.

“It’s very cool. Now I’m glad I accepted the call when they asked me to play in both of them,” Gray said. “Now I get another 55K in my pocket.”

Gray received $2,575 from the league for each victory, per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but also got $110,000 from Aflac as part of a partnership between with the WNBPA.

She topped hometown favorite Sophie Cunningham by just over 2 seconds in the final of the skills competition. Then she edged Jonquel Jones by one point in the 3-point shootout about 45 minutes later.

“I felt like I was warmed up after the skills challenge, running all over the court,” Gray said. “I was a little fatigued from the skills challenge, but I was locked in because I knew another 55K was on the line.”

Jones was looking to become the first post-player to win the 3-point contest. She also made the finals in 2021 before losing to four-time champion Allie Quigley. Jones had a chance to win the contest, but her last shot — the two-point money ball — fell short. She held her head in disappointment.

“(Jones) had me nervous, I’m not going to lie,” Gray admitted.

She scored 25 points in the opening round — tops amongst the five competitors. Gray had 23 points.

Neither defending champion Sabrina Ionescu or sensational rookie Caitlin Clark competed in the 3-point contest this year. Ionescu is playing for the U.S. at the Olympics and is focused on getting ready for the Paris Games.

After virtually playing non-stop for nine months between college and the WNBA, Clark just