Ogunbowale and Gray Shine in Record-Breaking Performances at WNBA All-Star Weekend 2024
In a dazzling display, the highly anticipated 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend lit up Phoenix, Arizona, at the Footprint Center. Fans gathered to witness history in the making, and they weren't disappointed. Friday night saw Allisha Gray claim victory in the Kia Skills Challenge, outshining Sophie Cunningham in the final round with her unmatched speed and precision. It was a moment of pure brilliance, setting the tone for an unforgettable weekend.
In the Starry 3-Point Contest, the final round featured a head-to-head competition between Gray and Jonquel Jones. Even though Jones showed out in the first round, Gray's consistent and clutch shooting secured her the win. She is the first player in history to win both the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest. Not bad, plus a $110k check for two days of work sounds like a good deal. Bring home the bacon, honey!
On Saturday, Team WNBA defeated Team USA 117-109, delivering an exciting and competitive match that felt more like a high-stakes game than an exhibition.
Arike Ogunbowale shot the lights out in the arena, scoring a record-breaking 34 points. What’s even more impressive is she did this all in the second half, laughing and leading Team WNBA to victory. Her impressive performance included 8-for-13 shooting from beyond the arc and six assists, earning her the MVP title. This marks her second All-Star Game MVP award, having previously won in 2021. If you knew Arike, you knew she would do this! She's the most dangerous 3-point shooter in the WNBA.
After taking a whopping, Team USA is preparing for the upcoming Olympics and we believe they will come home with the gold. Breanna Stewart led the all-star game with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while A'ja Wilson added 22 points and six rebounds. Phoenix's own Diana Taurasi chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in front of the home crowd.
Rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese also made their presence felt. Fans were able to see them play together for the first time in history as they complemented each other's style. Angel assisted in setting up plays for Clark and dominated the boards offensively as she always does. Reese notched 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Clark nearly set an All-Star record with 10 assists, falling just one short of Sue Bird's record. However, Clark achieved the most assists by a rookie in the All-Star Game. It’s clear these two rookies continue to break records and overcome adversities throughout their careers. Rookie of the Year seems to be a close race among these two All-Star teammates.
The overall experience was nothing short of electrifying and celebratory, highlighting the dynamic evolution of women's basketball. Fans departed the Footprint Center buzzing with exhilaration, eagerly anticipating the rest of the season for these remarkable athletes. Meanwhile, social media is ablaze with fans at home sharing their excitement. Many are calling it the best All-Star weekend in decades. Kudos to the WNBA for orchestrating such a successful and unforgettable event.
