With some of the league’s top stars — like Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird — sidelined by injuries, this weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game will most certainly have a different vibe than previous years.
Nevertheless, Sky fans will have plenty to watch over the next few days.
For the first time since 2013, the Sky will be sending three players to All-Star weekend as guards Allie Quigley, Diamond DeShields and Courtney Vandersloot were among the 12 reserves picked by coaches for the game.
Though the main event is Saturday at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, the excitement will tip-off Friday with Quigley defending her title in the three-point contest. Vandersloot and DeShields are also slated to join in the fun and participate in the skills competition, which consists of ball-handling, passing, agility and shooting drills.
Both competitions will be televised on ESPN at 6 p.m.
Quigley, who has dominated the three-point competition the last two years, said she’s nervous but excited to defend her title.
“It’s a nerve-wrecking experience for me to be honest,” said Quigley, who has made a league-most 51 three-pointers this season. “It’s fun because I’m winning it, but it’s very nerve-wrecking just shooting and having a million people watching you.”
Quigley will be joined by Chelsea Gray (Sparks), Kayla McBride (Aces), Kia Nurse (Liberty), Shekinna Stricklen (Sun) and Erica Wheeler (Fever) in the three-point battle.
As for the skills competition, Brittney Griner (Mercury), Napheesa Collier (Lynx), Odyssey Sims (Lynx), Jonquel Jones (Sun), Sami Whitcomb (Storm) and Elizabeth Williams (Dream) will join DeShields and Vandersloot.
Most Sky players plan to be in Las Vegas to cheer on their three teammates, but they’ll have to choose a side for Saturday’s game.
While Quigley and DeShields are on A’ja Wilson’s team, Elena Delle Donne picked Vandersloot to be on her squad.
Though the trio will be separated for the All-Star Game, Vandersloot said it means a lot that her teammates will be joining them in this experience.
“It just shows how much we support each other,” Vandersloot said. “It doesn’t matter who’s scoring, rebounding or playing defense, we’re all in this together. We feel like ... [we] wouldn’t be an All-Star without them.”
