Full Breakdown
WNBA 2026 All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest Field Set Amid Notable Declines
7/22/2026, 2:50:43 AM
Core Event: Contest Lineup and Format
The WNBA announced a six-player field for the 2026 All-Star 3-point contest, to be held on Friday, July 24, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The participants are: Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings), Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Bridget Carleton (Portland Fire), Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle Storm) and Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries). The competition will consist of two timed rounds. Five shooting stations are positioned around the arc, each with five balls; four are worth one point and one “money ball” is worth two points. Players may place an “all-money-ball” rack at any station, and two deeper “from the logo” spots will be worth three points each.
Background & Context
The WNBA 3-point contest has been a marquee event of All-Star Weekend since its inception, featuring both established sharpshooters and emerging talent. Historically, only four rookies have competed, with Fudd becoming the fourth. Prior winners include Sabrina Ionescu, who captured the title in 2023 and again in 2025, joining Allie Quigley as the only multiple champions. The 2026 contest introduces a larger prize pool—$20,000 for the winner and $10,000 for each participant—up from $2,575 and $1,030 the previous year.
Data & Statistics: Leading Shooters and Contest Mechanics
- League leaders in made threes (as of the announcement): Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Janelle Salaün, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, Azzi Fudd. All six rank within the league’s top-10 for total threes made.
- Per-game averages: Mabrey leads with 3.3 made threes per game; Howard follows with 3.2.
- Rookie representation: Fudd is the only rookie; she was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Official Statements & Responses
The league’s official release confirmed the six-player roster and the contest format. A source familiar with the situation told Front Office Sports that several players received invitations but declined “for various reasons.” USA TODAY Sports reported that Ionescu, Clark and McBride were invited but turned down the opportunity. ESPN’s Alexa Philippou noted that both Ionescu and Clark had previously declined invitations, with Clark having rested after a hectic first half of her rookie season and later withdrawing in 2025 due to a groin injury.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on why the three high-profile players declined:
- Injury explanations: SI indicates that both Clark and Ionescu have been battling injuries this season—Clark with a back issue and limited minutes, Ionescu with ankle and back ailments that caused her to miss 12 of 26 games.
- Rest or strategic choice: ESPN suggests Clark declined her 2024 rookie-year invitation to rest after a demanding first half of the season, and she previously aimed to debut the contest in Indianapolis before a groin injury forced withdrawal.
- No specific reason given: USA TODAY states that no official reason has been provided for Clark’s current absence, and the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty did not immediately respond to comment requests.
What’s Next: Upcoming Contest and Related Events
- Friday, July 24: The 3-point contest begins at 8 p.m. ET, televised on ESPN and streamed on Fubo and Sling.
- The All-Star Game follows the next day, featuring Indiana Fever stars Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell as starters.
The contest will showcase a blend of rising talent and proven shooters, while the absence of marquee names such as Clark, Ionescu and McBride remains a focal point of fan discussion.
