The WNBA announced a new format for this year’s Skills Challenge as part of the its All-Star weekend in Las Vegas. Four pairs of All-Star teammates will compete head-to-head on a timed obstacle course that will test skills such as dribbling, passing and agility.
Teams will complete the course one at a time, with both players from each team participating in a relay. The first player must complete the course as follows:
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25-foot chest pass at a target from the baseline, complete the pass to continue or max out on three attempts
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Dribble downcourt through four pylons, including a car
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Make a short shot in the lane to move on, or continue the course after three attempts
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Make a left corner 3-point shot, or continue the course after three attempts
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Dribble to opposite goal and make any basket — dunk, layup, jump shot, etc.
The second player will begin the course after rebounding the shot from the first player or receiving a pass from the first player. The second player will complete the course in the same order. She will then dribble to the opposite side of the court and must make a 3-point shot from the top of the arc.
The order of the first round will be determined by the WNBA, and the two teams with the fastest times will advance to the final round where they will then complete the course again. If there is a tie in either round, the tied teams will complete the course again.
ESPN will broadcast this year’s Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest on Friday. The competition begins at 4 p.m. ET.
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Here are the rosters for this year’s Skills Challenge:
Team Aces (Las Vegas)
Chelsea Gray, Guard
Kelsey Plum, Guard
Team Dream (Atlanta)
Allisha Gray, Guard
Cheyenne Parker, Forward
Team Liberty (New York)
Sabrina Ionescu, Guard
Courtney Vandersloot, Guard
Team Wings (Dallas)
Arike Ogunbowale, Guard
Satou Sabally, Forward
Injury replacements for WNBA All-Star Game
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard will replace seven-time All-Star Elena Delle Donne on Team Wilson in Sunday’s All-Star Game. This is Howard’s second All-Star nod, and the former No. 1 overall pick currently ranks 10th in scoring within the WNBA.
