Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner and guard Sophie Cunningham are taking part in the WNBA Skills Challenge as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Friday.
Griner is making her debut in the WNBA Skills Challenge and is the only center in the competition.
The participants in the challenge are:
– Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury)
– Sophie Cunningham (Phoenix Mercury)
– Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)
– Marina Mabrey (Connecticut Sun)
– Erica Wheeler (Indiana Fever)
The skills challenge involves an obstacle course that tests players’ dribbling, shooting, and passing skills.
In her 15 games played, Griner is averaging 18.6 points per game with a shooting percentage of 55.8%. She also has 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game.
Cunningham has played in 25 games this season and is averaging eight points per game with a shooting percentage of 43.4% and a three-point percentage of 39.2%. She also has 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a steal in 27 minutes per game.
Aside from the skills challenge, the WNBA 3-Point Contest will also take place on Friday.
The competition consists of two rounds, and the participants include:
– Stefanie Dolson (Washington Mystics)
– Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)
– Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty)
– Marina Mabrey (Connecticut Sun)
– Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx)
There will also be an exhibition game between the USA Women’s 3-on-3 National Team and the USA 3-on-3 U23 National Team on Friday.
Dates and times for WNBA All-Star Friday Night
The skills challenge, 3-on-3 exhibition, and 3-point contest will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. MST and can be watched on ESPN.
When is the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix?
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game between Team WNBA and the U.S. Basketball Women’s National Team will start on Saturday at 5:30 MST at Footprint Center.
This will be the first time this format has been used since 2021, when Team WNBA defeated the national squad 93-85.
Phoenix will have two representatives in the upcoming game, with Diana Taurasi and Griner playing for the national team.
“It’s going to be a fantastic weekend celebrating the WNBA, highlighting the Phoenix Mercury, and all the great things we are doing to elevate the game together,” said Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia in an interview with Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Wednesday.
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