PHOENIX — Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray had a night to remember, becoming the first-ever player in WBNA history to win both the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest. Gray will be taking home an extra $110,000.
“It was very cool, now I’m glad I accepted the call when they asked me to participate in both of them,” said Gray. “Now I get another $55k in my pocket, so I was happy about it.”
It came down to the final shot, as the New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones trailed 22-21 in the final round of the 2024 WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest with the money ball left on the final rack. The shot went up and bricked off the side of the rim, creating one of the most unforgettable moments in the history of the WBNA.
The ESPN broadcast captured Gray’s reaction to the final shot.
Allisha Gray's reaction after winning the Starry 3-PT Shooting Contest ???????? pic.twitter.com/lMww6m1L43
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 20, 2024
“I was nervous because she went on a shooting streak of makes,” said Gray. “JJ is a great 3-point shooter. I even told her before I was like ‘I’m familiar with your shooting game, I know you’re going to kill it’. When she got the last one with the score close and she missed it, it was a sigh of relief because she’s a great shooter.”
Gray’s night started by winning the 2024 KIA WBNA Skills Challenge. She put up the two fastest times of the night, clocking in at 31.2 and 32.1 seconds, the latter time defeating the Phoenix Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham in the final round.
Burn City Sports’ Justin LaCertosa asked her if winning the Skills Challenge amped her up for the 3-Point Contest.
“I felt like I was warmed up to the Skills Challenge. I was running all over the court, so I was able to warm my legs and stuff. I was fatigued a little bit from the Skills Challenge but I was able to lock in because I knew another $55k was on the line.”
Gray has business ventures in the restaurant industry, owning a WNB Factory in Milledgeville, GA. The $110,000 she earned tonight creates another opportunity to invest money into her restaurant and other ventures. She’s excited to see what she can do with the extra money.
It’s been a great year for the WNBA. Caitlin Clark’s arrival has given the league something that it hasn’t had before, a superstar whose games become must-watch events, either in attendance or on television. Add in a historical moment in one of the league’s premier events like All-Star Weekend, it creates the type of moments that elevate the sport to further success.
“It was very cool, the viewership is up in the WNBA,” said Gray. “It was amazing to see how many people were here for the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Challenge, and even the 3×3 exhibition game as well.”
Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
