Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray etched her name into WNBA All-Star history with an unforgettable performance on Friday night.
In just her second appearance at the games, Gray achieved a historic feat by becoming the first player to win both the Skills Challenge and the Three-Point Contest on the same night.
Previously, only two other WNBA players, Becky Hammon and Sabrina Ionescu, had won both events at some point in their careers. However, none had managed to secure victories in both competitions during a single All-Star night, making Gray’s accomplishment a groundbreaking moment in Phoenix.
Gray’s night of triumph began with a stellar performance in the Skills Challenge. Her agility, precision, and basketball IQ were on full display as she navigated the course with ease, securing the victory. The momentum carried her into the Three-Point Contest, where she faced stiff competition from New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones.
Jones put up an impressive 21 three-pointers, but Gray edged her out with a total of 22, sealing her second win of the night. Gray’s exuberant reaction, shared with her teammates as they leaped off the bench in celebration, encapsulated the excitement and significance of her achievement.
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The financial aspect of Gray’s success also caught widespread attention. The earnings from her victories provided a stark contrast to her WNBA contract, highlighting the disparity between player salaries and competition winnings. When Gray was drafted by the Dallas Wings in 2017, her rookie contract was valued at $51,591, according to Lindsay Gibbs of Power Plays.
For her win in the Skills Challenge alone, Gray earned $55,000. Combined with her Three-Point Contest winnings, her total earnings for the night amounted to $115,150.
As Ben Pickman of The Athletic noted, this sum represents 62% of her annual salary of $185,000 with the Dream.
Gray’s dual victories not only underscored her versatile skills and competitive spirit but also sparked discussions about player compensation in the WNBA.
Her standout performance brought attention to the potential for greater earnings through All-Star events and highlighted the need for continued dialogue around equitable pay in women’s sports.
As Allisha Gray continues her season with the Atlanta Dream, her historic night at the WNBA All-Star games will be remembered as a landmark achievement. Her ability to excel under pressure and showcase her talents on a national stage has solidified her status as one of the league’s brightest stars.
Fans and fellow players alike will undoubtedly look forward to her future contributions on the court, inspired by her remarkable accomplishments and the barriers she continues to break.
