WNBA's Allisha Gray Makes History By Winning Both Skills Competition and 3-Point Contest

Allisha Gray saw her chance and ran with it last night as the Atlanta Dream guard made history during the WNBA's All-Star weekend competitive events.

Gray not only won the 2024 Kia Skills Challenge to start off the night, but then won the 3-point competition just a short time after. The impressive performance made Gray the first WNBA player to ever win both competitions in the same year as she was awarded a cash prize that was nearly as much as her entire WNBA salary this year.

During the skills challenge, Gray had to compete against a number of other players, including Brittney Griner, as the competition had several different elements to it. Players had to make a variety of passes into circles cut into netting, as well as make shots from different locations on the court before having to hit a three-pointer above a windmill.

After her skills' competition victory, Gray was almost jinxed by ESPN reporter Holly Rowe who asked her, "What if you made history and won both [the skills competition and three-point contest] - can you do it?" Rowe asked.

"It's a possibility!" Gray responded before making the dream become a reality.

BUT IT DIDN'T COME WITHOUT SOME DRAMA…

After making it all the way to the 3-point competition finals, Gray would end up going first in the final round and scoring 22 points. However, she wasn't in the clear yet as opponent Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty made it quite dramatic - with it coming all the way down to her final shot trailing 22-21.

Fortunately for Gray, Jonquel's shot hit the rim and bounced off as Gray would secure her second victory of the night and end up winning a combined total of more than $170,000 - just shy of her annual $185,000 contract; not a bad pay day, needless to say!

Afterwords, Allisha told reporters that she was exhausted and wasn't sure how well she would do for the multiple 3-point competition rounds after competing in the skills trials.

"I was a little fatigued, a little bit from the skills challenge, but I was there to lock in," Gray said.

CAITLIN CLARK OPTED OUT OF THE 3-POINT COMPETITION

The WNBA couldn't have asked for a better finish after many fans were disappointed that Caitlin Clark decided to opt out of the 3-point competition despite being known for her long game. Clark told reporters that her decision to not partake had to do with wanting to rest up after what has been a non-stop year.

"Honesty, I think it’s just rest," Clark told the Indy Star. "I've been playing basketball for a year straight. It's not an easy thing to just show up to and shoot off a rack. It's not something I've ever done before. It's not something that I've had a lot of time to practice."

As anyone who has played sports knows - there's no better time to make a name for yourself then when the star isn't there to get all the attention.

Allisha Gray did just that last night. 

The WNBA All-Star Game (that will feature Caitlin Clark) takes place tonight at 8:30pm ET.