Kayla McBride: revealed she received a "half a-- invite" via text to her agent just 48 hours before the event, calling it unofficial and insufficient.
Sabrina Ionescu: , the two-time defending champion who set the contest record (37 points in 2023), stated: *"I can't decline an offer I never got officially invited to."*
Caitlin Clark: (Indiana Fever) was also reportedly invited but has not addressed the situation publicly. She averages 2.6 three-pointers per game at 34.5% shooting.
Why this matters: The controversy highlights a growing communication gap between the WNBA front office and its top talents, raising questions about how the league handles player engagement for marquee events.
The six confirmed participants are: Bridget Carleton (Portland Fire), Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings), Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle Storm), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo), and Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries).
Historical context: Ionescu is one of only two multi-time champions in WNBA history (alongside four-time winner Allie Quigley). She also competed in a cross-over event against NBA legend Stephen Curry in 2024.
The controversy erupted when the WNBA announced the six-player field for Friday's 3-point contest, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET during All-Star Weekend in Chicago. League sources initially told outlets like ESPN and The Athletic that Ionescu, Clark, and McBride were invited but declined. However, the players' accounts tell a different story.
McBride's Account: The 34-year-old Lynx sharpshooter, currently enjoying a career-best season averaging 18.2 points per game (matching her 2018 output), took to Instagram Story on Wednesday to set the record straight. She described receiving a casual text through her agent just 48 hours prior — a method she considered far from a formal invitation. "Sooo posting things like i'm afraid of shooting smoke is weird and if you didn't hear it from me prob shouldn't believe it," she wrote.
Ionescu's Account: The Liberty star, who missed 12 of the first 13 games of the season and was not voted an All-Star in 2026, was firm in her denial. Despite being the reigning champion and record-holder, she was never officially approached.
The WNBA's Response: A league spokesperson stated: *"Our general process is to reach out to agents to determine a player's interest, and some accept and some decline."* This statement directly contradicts the players' claims that no proper invitation was extended.
The six confirmed participants are all elite shooters in their own right:
| Player | Team | 3PM (Season) | 3PM Per Game |
|--------|------|:------------:|:------------:|
| Marina Mabrey | Toronto Tempo | 82 (League Leader) | 3.3 |
| Rhyne Howard | Atlanta Dream | 79 | 3.2 |
| Janelle Salaün | Golden State Valkyries | 67 | — |
| Bridget Carleton | Portland Fire | 65 | — |
| Natisha Hiedeman | Seattle Storm | 57 | — |
| Azzi Fudd | Dallas Wings | 50 | — |
Mabrey, a first-time All-Star this year, notably tied the WNBA single-game scoring record earlier this season with 53 points, including nine three-pointers. Fudd is just the fourth rookie in WNBA history to compete in the 3-point shootout — no rookie has ever won the event.
The contest features two timed rounds with five shooting locations. Each rack contains five balls: four standard balls (1 point each) and one "money ball" (2 points). Players can designate one "all money ball" rack, and there are two "from the logo" deep shots worth 3 points each.
Why didn't Sabrina Ionescu participate in the 2026 3-point contest?
Ionescu stated she was never officially invited by the WNBA, despite being the two-time reigning champion. She said: "I can't decline an offer I never got officially invited to."
What did Kayla McBride say about her invitation?
McBride revealed via Instagram Story that she received a "half a-- invite" through her agent via text just 48 hours before the event, which she did not consider an official invitation.
Who is participating in the 2026 WNBA 3-point contest?
The six contestants are Bridget Carleton (Portland Fire), Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings), Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle Storm), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo), and Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries).
When and where is the 3-point contest taking place?
The event is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. ET as part of WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
Has a rookie ever won the WNBA 3-point contest?
No. Azzi Fudd is the fourth rookie to ever compete (joining Kelsey Mitchell, Rhyne Howard, and Sonia Citron), but no rookie has won the event. Howard is the only rookie to reach the final round.
The WNBA's invitation process needs reform: Top stars like Ionescu and McBride are being left out due to what appears to be a disorganized system. Fans miss out on seeing the league's best shooters compete.
Who this affects most: WNBA fans, All-Star Weekend viewers, and players who value the prestige of the 3-point contest as a showcase of elite talent.
How to follow the action: The contest airs Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Tune in to see if any of the six participants can challenge Ionescu's record of 37 points.
Support the six competitors who accepted the challenge — they are all elite shooters deserving of the spotlight.
Follow the conversation on social media using hashtags like #WNBAAllStar and #3PointContest.
Stay informed about WNBA player relations by following trusted sports outlets.
Do you think the WNBA should overhaul its invitation process for future All-Star events? Should reigning champions like Sabrina Ionescu receive automatic invitations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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