Veteran guard Natasha Cloud, who has spent half the current season with the New York Liberty, achieved a major milestone at the WNBA All-Star Weekend by winning the Kia Skills Challenge. Competing against Erica Wheeler (Seattle Storm), Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream), Skylar Diggins (Storm), and Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx), the 33-year-old completed the obstacle course in 34.1 seconds during the opening round and improved to 36.4 seconds in the final round, ultimately claiming victory over Wheeler’s 37.5 seconds. Gray, the 2024 champion, finished with 39.4 seconds and was knocked out along with Williams and Diggins in the first round.
For her win, Cloud received a $50,000 prize plus a $2,575 bonus, which she plans to use to help her family with significant purchases. Reflecting on her achievement, Cloud said, “It’s a lot of money to offer to my family, and we’ve been buying a lot of home this offseason, so this money is on the way.” She also expressed gratitude for participating in her first All-Star Weekend.
Following Cloud’s success, her teammate Sabrina Ionescu triumphed in the Starry Sky 3 Points Contest, earning $60,000 and a $2,575 bonus. Ionescu outshot competitors Allisha Gray, Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks), Lexie Hull (Indiana Fever), and Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) in a contest featuring 30 three-point shots. Ionescu shared her excitement despite initial nerves, saying, “I was nervous because I haven’t been in a while, but I’m excited to come back with some of the great shooters around me and promote the game to another victory.”
Fan Take: This victory for Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu not only highlights the incredible talent within the New York Liberty but also energizes fans by showcasing the skill and competitiveness present in the WNBA. Such moments help raise the profile of the league and inspire the next generation of players and supporters.
