The athletes who will participate in this year's 3-point contest during the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge on Friday were announced this week. The list is exciting, and includes Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo), Janelle Salaun (Golden State Valkyries), Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings), Bridget Carleton (Portland Fire), and Natisha Hiedeman (Minnesota Lynx).
The list does not include three players: Sabrina Ionescu, Kayla McBride, and Caitlin Clark. ESPN's Alexa Philippou initially reported that Ionescu, McBride, and Clark had all declined invitations to participate (per an unnamed source who spoke with the network), but Ionescu has since denied that claim entirely, and McBride has said she was invited—sort of. So far, Clark hasn't commented, and Philippou hasn't followed up on her reporting.
What Sabrina Ionescu said about the 3-point contest
Ionescu told reporters Wednesday that she was never invited at all. While speaking before the New York Liberty's game against the Chicago Sky, she said, "I can't decline an offer I never got officially invited to. So was pretty surprised to see that. Never got invited."
Ionescu also emphasized her enthusiasm for the event, whether it's alongside Steph Curry from the Golden State Warriors, or at WNBA All-Star. She continued, "I just kind of wanted to set the record straight. Like that was just false, but I'm really excited for the participants in it, and obviously there's going to be a new winner, so I'm excited to see who wins."
When asked a follow-up question on the topic, Ionescu said that she might receive a "really nice invite" from Curry to do the 3-point contest at NBA All-Star again.
What Kayla McBride said about the 3-point contest
McBride offered a detailed explanation of what happened on her end via her Instagram Story on Wednesday. For those who are "SO concerned," she wrote, McBride received a "half a** invite" to the contest via her agent, in a text that was sent two days ago. "Sooo posting things like I'm afraid of shooting smoke is weird and if you don't hear it from me prob shouldn't believe it."
So far, Clark hasn't offered much by way of indicating if she was invited to the contest and declined, or if she was not invited at all.
Either way, Friday night's event will be a fun one, and it will give WNBA fans the opportunity to appreciate the 3-point shooting skills of a few players who haven't had the chance to show them off in that capacity. The Skills Challenge is always an energetic precursor to the All-Star Game itself, and will likely set the tone of the event.
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