The final time Allie Quigley participated within the WNBA 3-point contest, she was booed.
It wasn’t due to a poor efficiency final yr. Quite the alternative.
It was as a result of she went in entrance of a raucous crowd at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas after successful the competitors and declared she wasn’t going to compete in one other 3-point exhibition.
A yr later, Quigley already is lifting her self-imposed embargo.
The three-time All-Star stated after the Sky’s 81-78 highway loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday that she’s going to compete on this yr’s contest, which is able to happen Saturday at McCormick Place’s observe court docket.
“Everybody was talking to me nonstop about it,” Quigley stated after the sport. “I didn’t want to let the city down or my family and friends down. It’ll be fun and it’s nice that it’s at home. It’ll be a good experience.”
If Quigley wins the 3-point contest, she would turn into the primary WNBA or NBA participant to win on 4 events (she gained in 2017-18 and 2021). She is tied with Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the one WNBA or NBA gamers to win not less than three.
Quigley wasn’t conscious of her connection to the NBA legends when requested about her place in All-Star Game historical past.
“I had no idea that was a stat, but to be in the history books would be amazing,” Quigley stated July 1. “Now I’m going to have that in the back of my mind if I do it.”
The remainder of the sector for each the 3-point contest and the talents problem hasn’t been introduced. However, Sky ahead Azurá Stevens instructed the Tribune on July 1 she could be open to following Quigley within the shootout if invited to take part.
Stevens has transformed 38.2% of her 3.4 makes an attempt per recreation from lengthy vary this season. She stated a number of individuals have requested her if she needs to take part. If the league offers her the OK, she would compete towards her teammate.
“I’m a good shooter, so why not?” Stevens stated. “We’re here, so might as well.”
As native followers push for as a lot Sky illustration as doable throughout this yr’s All-Star weekend in Chicago, Rebekah Gardner is open to competing within the abilities problem. After going undrafted in 2012, the 31-year-old rookie burst onto the scene this season for the reigning champs and has proved to be one of the athletic wings within the league.
Gardner’s 1.447 factors per possession in transition rank within the 96th percentile throughout the WNBA, in line with Synergy Sports Tech. Her potential to get out on the break would possibly make her an ideal candidate to compete within the abilities problem.
“I couldn’t say no,” Gardner stated July 2 earlier than the Sky’s 91-75 win over the Phoenix Mercury. “If they asked me, I would definitely do it.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com