The Biggest Names and a Fresh Format for 2025
The WNBA 3-Point Contest doesn’t mess around in 2025. On July 18, three of the league’s sharpshooters—Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, and rookie Sonia Citron—are set to light up the court, barring injury setbacks. Kelsey Plum is no stranger to the contest, chasing a trophy she’s eyed for years. Caitlin Clark, the high-scoring Indiana Fever guard whose rookie season has already brought record crowds and new fans, is also on the list, though her current groin injury makes her status a bit of a mystery. Washington’s Sonia Citron, quietly putting up solid numbers from downtown with a 36.5% three-point rate, steps into the spotlight for her first All-Star swing.
With these personalities and talents, ESPN’s prime-time slot at 8 p.m. ET is set for the kind of drama that’s just as good as the actual game scheduled for Saturday, July 19.
How the Contest Is Played: Racks, Money Balls, and the 'Starry' Twist
The format for the WNBA 3-Point Contest is designed to make shooters really think on their feet—not just about accuracy, but about point-maximizing strategy. Along the defined three-point arc, you’ll see five racks. In each rack: four regular balls, each worth a single point, and one specially colored 'money ball' that’s worth two points. But there’s a twist: each contestant picks one rack to turn into an all-money ball rack, so that whole patch of shots could swing a round if a player gets white-hot.
On top of that, two special 'Starry' balls are placed farther back than the typical arc. These are the long-range shots—both worth three points each. They’ll test just how deep a shooter’s range really is and can provide a crucial boost for those with the guts to go for broke.
- Five shooting racks along the arc
- Each rack: 4 regular balls (1 point), 1 money ball (2 points)
- One all-money ball rack chosen by each player
- Two 'Starry' balls beyond the arc (3 points each)
Every player gets their shot in the first round. After all the dust settles and the points are tallied, only the top two move on to the final round. Whoever racks up the most in the championship round is crowned the contest winner.
It’s a simple format on the surface, but every shooter knows there’s tons of pressure when the spotlight’s on and every miss can be the difference between a highlight reel and a heartbreaker. If Caitlin Clark manages to play, she’s sure to get a lot of eyes—to see how her college heroics translate among the pros. If not, the door's wide open for Plum’s persistence or Citron’s breakout performance to steal the show. Clear your schedule for Friday night, because this one’s set to be a nail-biter from the very first shot.
