On Tuesday, the WNBA announced the six participants for All-Star Weekend’s 3-Point Contest on July 24. Star rookie Azzi Fudd will be putting her outside sniping to the test against Golden State Valkyries sophomore Janelle Salaün and a pool of WNBA veterans in Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton.
It’s one thing for a handful of high-profile names (such as Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kayla McBridge) to reportedly decline an invitation to participate in this event. It’s another thing for a separate pack of technically sound shooters to not get an invite at all. Here are five snubs from this year’s 3-Point Contest.
Kelsey Mitchell
Though Clark was said to have turned down an invitation, she wasn’t the only member of the Indiana Fever backcourt who was worthy of consideration for this event. Kelsey Mitchell, who was selected for her fourth consecutive All-Star appearance this year, would have been a great choice as well, as she has the best outside shooting clip among all WNBA players with at least 6.5 3-point attempts.
Chelsea Gray
The Point Gawd is better known for her scintillating assists, but Chelsea Gray also happens to be a threat that defenders can’t leave open on the outside. Though Gray puts up fewer 3-point shots than the likes of Howard and Salaun, the Las Vegas Aces court general has been more efficient from deep, hitting 39.8% on close to five attempts per game.
Jackie Young
Gray isn’t the only star on the Aces lineup who could have made for a great addition to this event. Jackie Young, in fact, averages just as many 3-pointers made as Gray. And, for that matter, 3-Point Contest participants Fudd and Hiedeman. Interestingly, Young’s 5.3 attempts per game is close to or even better than the volume put up by each of those three players.
Marine Johannès
The New York Liberty are tied for third in 3-pointers made this season, thanks in large part to Marine Johannès. The three-time Olympian is ninth among all WNBA players in outside shots converted, and she’s converting on a solid 37.0% clip.
Sophie Cunningham
In terms of star power that sets the internet on fire, the WNBA might have missed badly by not adding Sophie Cunningham to the 3-Point Contest.
Cunningham, of course, is way more than a meme or trending UFC ring girl. She is one of only five WNBA players this season to average better than 40% from deep on a minimum of four attempts per game. Cunningham’s 6-for-7 shooting performance from deep against the Aces on July 12 was certainly 3-Point Contest material.
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