Overview
- The Shooting Stars showcase and the 3‑Point Contest are set for Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago and will air in primetime on ESPN/Disney+.
- The WNBPA and Aflac added a $170,000 supplemental pool for the two events that expands payouts beyond winners and increases top prizes for the 3‑Point Contest.
- Six players — Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Azzi Fudd, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Janelle Salaün — will compete in the 3‑Point Contest under a two‑round, 70‑second format with money balls and deep‑logo shots.
- The Shooting Stars teams pair WNBA legends (Lauren Jackson, Elena Delle Donne, Rebekkah Brunson, Deanna Nolan) with current players and four Nike EYBL prospects in a timed, multi‑spot shooting race replacing the Skills Challenge.
- Several high‑profile absences have drawn scrutiny: Sabrina Ionescu says she never received an official invite, Kayla McBride says she got an informal agent text, and reports say Caitlin Clark declined; the WNBA says it normally contacts agents to gauge interest.