With the WNBA All-Star festivities starting, the skills challenge will take place before the 3-point contest Friday night. Listed are the Skills Challenge participants:
One of the biggest storylines of the event is whether Allisha Gray can defend her title in the 3-Point and Skills Challenge Contest. She made history winning both last year and came away with a hefty bonus check! This year, the skills challenge has quite the competition, and it will make for an exciting finish.
The Skills Challenge consists of an obstacle course where, according to the WNBA, players will be tested on their “dribbling, bounce passes, chest passes, outlet passes, and shots that include an elbow jumper, 3-pointer from the top of the arc, and a corner three.” The challenge will consist of two rounds, with the top two fastest times competing against each other in the final round.
| Player | WNBA Team |
|---|---|
| Natasha Cloud | New York Liberty |
| Skylar Diggins | Seattle Storm |
| Allisha Gray | Atlanta Dream |
| Erica Wheeler | Seattle Storm |
| Courtney Williams | Minnesota Lynx |
Natasha Cloud
Having a decent first season with the New York Liberty, Natasha Cloud could be a sleeper pick for the challenge. This challenge plays to her strengths in terms of assists, as she is averaging six assists per game. Meanwhile Cloud is shooting 42.2 percent from the field, and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Cloud is joined by other prominent playmaking guards, but this is where she could really show off her passing, shooting, and ball handling skills. After all, this is the All-Star Skills Challenge, where the best show the audience what they bring to the table. .
Skylar Diggins
As a competitive player, it’ll be interesting to see Skylar Diggins in this competition. According to Fan Duel, Diggins has the second best odds to win the competition. Diggins is going to give Allisha Gray a run for her money, as she is quick, excels in passing, and shooting.
This season, she’s averaging 5.8 assists, shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. With how Diggins maneuvers against defenses, this challenge should come easy to her.
Allisha Gray
Looking to repeat and defend her throne, Allisha Gray will be competing for not just more bragging rights, but another $55,000. According to Fan Duel, Gray enters the contest as the favorite with the best odds tow in. The dream guard is playing like the best guard in the league right now, and can continue to show her skills throughout All-Star Weekend.
This season Gray is averaging four assists, shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Her vision on the court and quickness is why she won last season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she won again.
Allisha Gray takes the lead in the skills challenge with 31.2 seconds! #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/tpsk2NDDck
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 20, 2024
Erica Wheeler
After missing the skills challenge last year, Erica Wheeler will have a shot at redemption. Although Fan Duel gives Wheeler the worst odds to win the competition, I think she will be a sleeper pick. As a guard, Wheeler has incredible playmaking abilities that will help her excel in this challenge.
Wheeler’s quickness and her shooting make her a dark horse candidate. She is shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Courtney Williams
Another quick guard in the league, Courtney Williams will make the competition interesting to say the least. Williams brings a significant amount of flair, as her speed and abilities as a guard make the challenges in her favor. Her playmaking abilities are her best component which is why she will thrive in this skills challenge.
Currently, Williams is averaging six assists, shooting 42.5 percent from the field, and 37.9 percent from the three. Her abilities make her an ultimate sleeper pick.
Prediction
Aforementioned, this challenge could come down to Allisha Gray and Skylar Diggins. Although Diggins isn’t considered the favorite, I believe with the competitive nature and the abilities of Skylar Diggins, she will ultimately end up taking home the prize money from this event. With these two it could come down to just a few seconds of who wins.
This is going to be a tough competition, as all five competitors are playing at an elite level right now. Every competitor in this challenge is going to be playing at their absolute best, as the stakes are high. With everything going on regarding the CBA, $55,000 is nothing to shy away from.
The WNBA Skills Challenge will take place on Friday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ET (Gainbridge Fieldhouse).
