The WNBA announced the talented list of participants for the Starry 3-Point Contest ahead of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
With WNBA All-Star Weekend vastly approaching, the league announced the prominent list of shooters set to partake in the 2025 Starry 3-Point Challenge. Included in the lineup is All-Star Caitlin Clark, who will compete in her first-ever 3-Point Contest — all in front of the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark joins New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu, Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray, Washington Mystics’ Sonia Citron, and Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum as the 2025 3-point competitors.
Let’s break down the contestants. I must say, this is a highly impressive list of flamethrowers. With a mix of rookies and veterans, fans are in for a real treat with some exciting matchups ahead. Get your popcorn out— it’s about to be pure cinema!
All eyes may be on Caitlin Clark, but she’s up against some serious competition on Friday. Will Allisha Gray defend her title?
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark went off in her return 🔥
32 Points (25 1st half)
7/14 Threes (game high)
9 Assists (game high)
8 Rebounds
2 Blocks
14-Point Win vs NYpic.twitter.com/QKZNLEtzkO— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 14, 2025
Named Captain alongside Napheesa Collier, Caitlin Clark earned a historic 1,293,526 fan votes, which set a All-Star voting record. Notorious for her deep logo shots, Clark will get a shot to impress the Fever loyal. Named 2024 Rookie of the Year, No. 22 finished her first season with a rookie record 122 3-pointers. Now she headlines one of the biggest events among All-Star Weekend.
This is a no-brainer for Clark, who broke the Division 1 record for the most 3-points in NCAA history with 548 in four years with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Widely considered one of the most prolific 3-point shooters of all time, can you imagine your first WNBA 3-Point Contest taking place at your home arena? It’s only fitting that Clark moved the needle, and now fans get a glimpse of greatness this Friday. Let’s put it this way, I would be deeply concerned if Clark wasn’t chosen to compete in the contest.
According to Shams Charania, Clark previously turned down an opportunity to participate in last year’s NBA 3-Point Contest in San Fransisco. Now she’s granted her own wish to represent the Fever at their home base this weekend. Although hampered by groin and quad injuries this season, Clark is averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.7 steals. Through 12 games, the former Iowa standout is shooting a career-low 28.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Regardless of the injuries and a possible sophomore shooting slump, I’m expecting Clark to light it up in front of an expected sell out crowd. Overall, Clark possesses the range and accuracy to potentially win the shootout. I mean, she is the all-time D1 scoring leader, after all.
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Sabrina Ionescu with a 37-point Final round in the @WNBA 3-Point Contest 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 14, 2023
Playing in her sixth WNBA season with the New York Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu will enter the second 3-Point Contest of her career. Similar to Clark, Ionescu is an incredible shooter who can score from deep range. After all, how can we forget Ionescu’s 28-foot 3-point bomb that gave the Liberty a last-second 80-77 victory in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx? Arguably the most clutch shot in WNBA history, Sab gets another chance to show why she’s one of the league’s most dangerous shooter’s beyond the arc.
Ionescu is widely renowned for her ‘Steph vs. Sabrina’ 3-point shootout held during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend against Steph Curry. Let’s not forget she was crowned winner of the 2023 WNBA 3-Point contest, where Ionescu scored a record breaking 37 points in the first round. The most of any player in the WNBA or NBA, Ionescu cemented herself as one of the most elite shooters to ever grace the game.
From 2023 until now, Ionescu leads the league with 282 3-pointers, and made a record-setting 128 threes in 2024. Through 19 games this season, the former Oregon standout is averaging 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. While Sab’s 3-point percentage has drastically decreased to 30.9 percent, she’s second behind Rhyne Howard in deep ball attempts (152).
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
So close! Allisha Gray beats out Jonquel Jones 21-20 for the 3-point contest! #wnba pic.twitter.com/TA7jGOKCGW
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 20, 2024
Allisha Gray is going for it all once again! Crowned the winner of the 2024 WNBA 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge, Gray made history as the only player to win both in the same year. Sporting a huge smile, she walked away $115,150 richer. While CBA negotiations continue between the WNBA players union and league officials, Gray and other players could potentially take home nearly half of their current salary in bonus funds. Another words, these players are competing for more than pride!
Looking to defend her title, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray edged out Jonquel Jones in the final round last year to win the first 3-Point Contest of her career. Considered an early MVP candidate this season, Gray is having a career year in her third season with the Dream. Through 21 games, the former Gamecock is averaging a personal best 18.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Not to mention, she’s cracked the top 13 in 3-point percentage (38.4%) and ranks fourth behind Rhyne Howard, Kayla McBride, and Kelsey Plum in 3-pointers made this season (49).
Considered one of the best guards in the league, Allisha Gray earned a starting nod in this weekend’s All-Star Game and continues to thrive under first-year head coach Karl Smesko’s 3-point-heavy offensive scheme. Could this be the year Gray becomes the first repeat winner since newly retired sharpshooter Allie Quigley?
Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
SONIA CITRON SENDS NOTRE DAME INTO OT VS NC STATE!pic.twitter.com/Iru2RVPy7A
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) February 23, 2025
Drafted No. 3 overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Sonia Citron has become a sensation out of Notre Dame. Named a first-time All-Star as a rookie alongside teammate Kiki Iriafen, I want to take this space to share my appreciation for the rookie.
Considered a three-level threat, Citron has some serious back door cut skills, along with the ability to shoot the rock from deep. Earning all 21 starts in her first year with the Mystics, Citron is a ferocious defender who’s shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. In her rookie campaign, she’s put up quite the impressive state line— 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and one steal.
Ranked second among rookies in 3-point attempts (91) and 3-pointers made (33), Citron is a quiet assassin who rarely shows emotion. When she does, she lets her game do the talking. Plus, we all remember when Citron forced overtime against NC State, capped off by a buzzer-beater 3-pointer, right?
As the only rookie to enter to contest, don’t let that fool you. In her four year career at Notre Dame, Citron was a 37 percent 3-point shooter. In fact, Citron recorded the eighth most 3-pointers in program history under Niele Ivey with 173 3PTM. While Sonia Citron is more than deserving of the honor, other honorable mentions include Dream rookie Te-Hina Paopao, Liberty wing Leonie Fiebich, and Fever guard, Lexie Hull.
Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks
Kelsey Plum will participate in this year’s WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest in Indiana — her first time appearing in the event since 2022.
The Sparks’ guard ranks 15th in league history in made threes (539) and is tied for second in 2025 with 50 made triples. pic.twitter.com/NfD61yIh7z
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) July 15, 2025
A two-time WNBA Champion and 2022 WNBA All-Star MVP, Kelsey Plum was voted to her fourth career All-Star game. After spending the first seven seasons of her career with San Antonio and the Las Vegas Aces, Plum was shipped to the Sparks in a three-team trade that sent Jewell Loyd to the Aces.
Although the Sparks have underperformed amid injuries and a new head coaching system under Lynne Roberts, Plum is dazzling in her first season with LA. Through 20 games, she’s averaging a career-high 20.1 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. Not to mention Plum is shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc.
Elected to her second career 3-Point Contest, this is where it gets fun. Plum, is considered one of the most prolific shooters from all time. Notorious for her speedy and crafty ways of scoring, Plum hold’s a career 38.6 3-point percentage. In addition, she’s tied with Kayla McBride for second most 3-pointers made this season (50).
What would the WNBA be without Plum’s slight smirk at the free-throw line and her quick lefty shot release? Not to mention, she’ll be competing against Caitlin Clark, who recently surpassed Plum as the all-time Division I women’s scoring leader in 2024.
Ranking 15th all-time in WNBA 3-pointers (539), Kelsey Plum’s veteran experience brings a bit of zest and competitiveness.
2025 Starry 3-Point Contest Rules
Similar to last year, the 3-Point Contest will feature two rounds, with five racks of balls positioned behind the 3-point line. In traditional fashion, each ball is worth one point, while the final ball in each rack, the money ball, is worth two points. In addition to a fifth rack comprised of money balls, two Starry Range balls will be placed deeper beyond the arc. With the Starry balls worth three points, it gives competitors the advantage if they are deep range shooters.
Set to air on ESPN, the Starry 3-Point Contest will take place on Friday, July 15 starting at 8 p.m. ET. In addition, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will take place on July 19 at Gainbridge, Fieldhouse.
Follow Sara Jane Gamelli on X @SaraJGamelli.
