Sabrina Ionescu Leads Liberty to Victory in WNBA 3-Point Contest
Introduction
Sabrina Ionescu, the star player of the New York Liberty, has once again claimed victory in the WNBA 3-point contest. This is her second time winning the title, solidifying her status as one of the best shooters in the league. But she wasn't the only Liberty player to make headlines at the event.
Teammate Natasha Cloud Also Impresses
Ionescu's teammate, Natasha Cloud, also had a standout performance at the 3-point contest, winning the skills competition. This dynamic duo is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills and teamwork.
Ionescu Defeats Allisha Gray in the Final Round
In the final round of the 3-point contest, Ionescu faced off against Allisha Gray of the Dallas Wings. It was a close match, but Ionescu's precision and consistency ultimately led to her victory. Gray also put up an impressive performance, but it was Ionescu who came out on top.
Implications for the Liberty and the WNBA
Ionescu's continued success in the 3-point contest is not only a personal achievement, but also a positive sign for the New York Liberty. With a talented and determined player like Ionescu on their team
About the People Mentioned
Sabrina Ionescu
Sabrina Ionescu is an American professional basketball player born on December 6, 1997, in Walnut Creek, California. She is best known as a standout guard for the New York Liberty in the WNBA, where she was selected as the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. Ionescu played college basketball at the University of Oregon, where she made history as the only player in NCAA Division I men’s or women’s basketball to finish her career with more than 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists. She was a two-time Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player and led Oregon to multiple conference titles and a Final Four appearance. Ionescu’s collegiate achievements include being named the 2020 AP Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, winning the Naismith Trophy, and earning the Wade Trophy twice as national player of the year. Her record-breaking career at Oregon established her as one of the most decorated players in college basketball history. In her WNBA career, Ionescu has quickly become one of the league’s most prominent figures. She was named to the 2022 AP All-WNBA First Team, won the WNBA Skills Challenge, and has been recognized as Eastern Conference Player of the Month multiple times. She holds the WNBA record for triple-doubles and recorded the league’s first-ever triple-double in less than three quarters. In 2024, she helped the New York Liberty win their first WNBA championship, further cementing her legacy. Ionescu also represents the United States internationally, winning a gold medal with the U.S. women’s national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Off the court, she is a Nike Signature Athlete and the first woman to lead a unisex collection for the company. She founded the SI20 Foundation to inspire youth through sports. Ionescu remains a highly influential figure in basketball and sports culture.
Natasha Cloud
Natasha "Tash" Cloud (born February 22, 1992, in Broomall, Pennsylvania) is an American professional basketball player currently with the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), having also played internationally for Phantom BC of Unrivaled[1]. Standing 5'10" and playing as a guard, Cloud is known for her playmaking, defensive intensity, and leadership on the court[4]. Cloud’s basketball journey began at Cardinal O’Hara High School, where she led her team to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA state finals and earned multiple honors, including First Team All-Delco and AAAA All-State recognition[1]. She then attended the University of Maryland before transferring to Saint Joseph’s University, where she majored in communication studies[3][4]. Cloud entered the WNBA in 2015 as the 15th overall pick (second round) by the Washington Mystics, where she spent the first eight years of her career, becoming a key contributor and team leader[3][4]. Notably, she sat out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on racial justice activism and to support the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting her commitment to social issues beyond basketball[3]. On the court, Cloud is recognized for her defensive prowess and versatility. In 2023, she was named to the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball All-Defensive Team, ranking among league leaders in assists, steals, and free throw percentage while averaging 14.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game[3]. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to impact games on both ends of the floor, and her leadership was instrumental during the Mystics’ injury-affected seasons[2]. Internationally, Cloud has represented Jordan at the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, helping the team reach the promotion playoff final[1][2]. Cloud is also active in the broader basketball community, serving on the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball Player Executive Committee and participating in initiatives to grow the women’s game domestically and internationally[2][3]. As of 2025, she remains a relevant figure in the WNBA, now with the New York Liberty, continuing to compete at a high level while maintaining her profile as an advocate for social justice and athlete empowerment[1][3].
Allisha Gray
Allisha Gray is an American professional basketball player born on January 12, 1995, in Sandersville, Georgia. Standing 6 feet tall, she plays as a guard and is currently active in the WNBA, most recently with the Atlanta Dream. Gray began her collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, where she became the 35th player in program history to score over 1,000 career points and earned honors such as All-ACC First Team and WBCA All-America Honorable Mention during her sophomore season. She transferred to the University of South Carolina, where she continued to excel, earning a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team and the SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll. Gray chose to forego her senior season to enter the WNBA Draft, where she was selected fourth overall by the Dallas Wings in 2017. Gray quickly made her mark in the WNBA, earning the 2017 Rookie of the Year award and consistently contributing as a starter throughout her career. She spent seven seasons with the Dallas Wings before being acquired by the Atlanta Dream in January 2023. Gray has been recognized for her scoring and rebounding, with her best season coming in 2023 when she averaged 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She was named to the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game, highlighting her continued relevance in the league. Internationally, Gray has represented Team USA, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She has also participated in various USA Basketball national team events and 3x3 competitions, maintaining a strong record. Gray is known for her versatility, leadership, and consistent performance on both domestic and international stages.
About the Organizations Mentioned
New York Liberty
The **New York Liberty** is a pioneering professional women's basketball team based in Brooklyn, New York City, competing in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. Founded in 1997 as one of the league's original eight franchises, the Liberty have been a consistent competitive force, reaching the playoffs in 19 of 28 seasons and playing in six WNBA Finals appearances. The team clinched its first WNBA Championship in 2024, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 3-2, a historic milestone that capped decades of competitive prominence[1][2][4]. The Liberty's early years were marked by immediate success, reaching the league finals in their inaugural 1997 season and again in 1999, 2000, and 2002, though falling short to dominant teams like the Houston Comets and Los Angeles Sparks. Throughout their history, they have been home to many WNBA legends, including Teresa Weatherspoon (famous for a half-court shot in the 1999 Finals), Rebecca Lobo, Becky Hammon, Tina Charles, Sabrina Ionescu (the franchise’s first-ever No. 1 draft pick), Breanna Stewart (2023 WNBA MVP and key to recent success), and Jonquel Jones[1][2][7]. Ownership changed significantly in 2019 when billionaire Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai acquired the Liberty, moving the team to the Barclays Center and investing heavily in the roster and organizational professionalism. This strategic business approach led to rapid growth, culminating in the 2024 championship. The Tsais' vision emphasizes treating women's sports teams as serious business ventures, aiming to build sustained on-court success and commercial value, with ambitions to surpass a $1-billion franchise valuation[3]. Beyond basketball, the Liberty have been influential culturally, participating in social justice initiatives and community events, including Black Lives Matter solidarity and the New York City Pride March. The team also holds WNBA records, such as the most three-pointer
Dallas Wings
## Organization Overview The Dallas Wings are a professional women’s basketball team competing in the Western Conference of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)[3]. Based in Arlington, Texas, they play their home games at College Park Center on the University of Texas at Arlington campus and are owned by a group led by Bill Cameron[3]. The organization’s primary activity is competing at the highest level of women’s basketball in North America, while also engaging with the community through outreach, youth programs, and partnerships. ## History and Evolution The franchise’s roots trace back to 1998 as the Detroit Shock, one of the WNBA’s original expansion teams[3][5]. After early struggles, the Shock underwent a dramatic turnaround in 2003, winning the WNBA championship just one year after finishing with the league’s worst record—a historic achievement in American sports[3][5]. This marked the beginning of a dynasty: the Shock won three championships in six seasons (2003, 2006, 2008), establishing themselves as a powerhouse under coach Bill Laimbeer[5]. The team relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2010, becoming the Tulsa Shock, before moving again to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in 2016, rebranding as the Dallas Wings[3][5]. ## Key Achievements The franchise’s most notable achievements occurred during its Detroit era, with three WNBA championships and a reputation for resilience and excellence[3][5]. Although the Wings have yet to replicate that championship success in Dallas, the organization has developed standout players like Arike Ogunbowale and, previously, Liz Cambage, who set a WNBA single-game scoring record (53 points) while with the team in 2018[3][5]. The Wings have also been a destination for international talent, including Australian stars Cambage and Erin Phillips[5]. ## Current Status As of the