Allisha Gray sweeps WNBA skills, 3-point title to make more than half her Atlanta Dream salary

By Jeff Metcalfe

Defending champion Sabrina Ionescu and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark opting not to compete in the WNBA All-Star 3-point shooting contest was a disappointment for fans but a life-changing opportunity for Allisha Gray.

After winning the skills challenge Friday night in front of a near sellout at the Footprint Center, Gray of the Atlanta Dream doubled up as 3-point champion with a one-point win over New York’s Jonquel Jones.

The 29-year-old Gray earned a combined $115,150 for the All-Star weekend titles thanks to a $55,000 bonus for each put up through the WNBA Players Association through an Aflac sponsorship.

“With $110K, I can invest my money so I’m definitely excited about what I can do with that,” said Gray, whose WNBA salary this season is $185,000. “Dinner is me (for her teammates). I’ve got them. They’ve just got to let me know early because I’m still a very cheap person. They’ve got to plan it, I’ll just pay the bill.”

Atlanta’s Allisha Gray after sweeping skills and 3-point titles for a big payday #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/POj5AliKvS

— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) July 20, 2024

Gray won the skills challenge over Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, completing the course in the finals in 32.1 seconds after Cunningham’s 34.5. Gray was slightly faster (31.2) in the first round when Cunningham went 35.5.

“I was warmed up from the skills challenge,” Gray said. “I was running all over the court. I was a little fatigued, but I was really locked in because I knew another $55K was on the line.”

Following an exhibition featuring the U.S. Olympic 3×3 team, Gray returned with four others for the 3-point contest. The 6-6 Jones led in the first round with 25 points, two more than Gray.

In the finals, Gray scored 22 and Jones missed her last shot finish with 21. “I was nervous because JJ’s a great 3-point shooter,” Gray said. “It was a sigh of relief.”

Ionescu won the 3-point title in 2023 with a record 37 points, making 92.5 percent of her shots compared to Gray’s 55 percent.

But Gray made history and a bunch of cash with the first skill/3-point sweep. “When I know something’s on the line, you’ve got to lock in,” she said. “That’s just the type of person I am. I’m a very competitive person.”

The 20th WNBA All-Star Game between the U.S. Olympic team and Team WNBA, including Gray, is at 5:30 PM  on Saturday.