Just like a lot of fans have been since the announcement, Sophie Cunningham also appears to be struggling to make sense of the criteria behind the WNBA’s selections for its All-Star 3-Point Contest, taking place Friday, July 24, in Chicago. After all, the Indiana Fever guard ranks second in the league in three-point percentage at 43.7%, which explains both her own dilemma and the frustration.
“I mean, I don’t make any of those decisions,” Cunningham said in an interview, a clip of which Indiana Pacers and Fever beat reporter Scott Agness shared on Instagram. “I don’t even know who makes those decisions. Whoever makes them, I would like to know sooner than later if I’m doing that, because I have plans to be had. But I think it would be a cool opportunity if I get chosen. There’s a lot of great shooters in our league that deserve it. But if I’m one of them, awesome. If I’m not, it’s okay.”
That measured tone, though, followed a different initial reaction. Cunningham had replied to a post from shooting coach Drew Hanlen, who’d written, “Second in the league in 3P% & not invited to the 3-Point Contest? They’re hating on you, @sophaller!” Cunningham responded, “Soooo what else is new with everyone?” before deleting the post.
The six-player field the league selected was formed by Azzi Fudd, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey and Janelle Salaün, after Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu both reportedly declined their invitations. Kayla McBride, who ranks third in the league in total threes made, is also reported to have turned hers down. Notably, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, third in three-pointers made, wasn’t selected either.
However, as disappointed as she is, Cunningham was hardly surprised.
“The league always gets in the league’s way,” she said before the Fever’s game vs. the Connecticut Sun. “I would have done it. I would have loved to win some money. I need to buy a boat, so that would have been fun. But it’s fine.”
Cunningham was also left off the All-Star Game roster entirely this year despite what’s been called one of the most efficient shooting seasons of her career, and enters the weekend among the league’s active candidates for a 50-40-90 season. Her best single-game shooting performance came July 12 against the Las Vegas Aces, when she made 6 of 7 attempts from deep.
Whether the WNBA’s selection process needs more transparency is a separate conversation. The league might have gravitated toward threes-made, and Cunningham ranks 19th there, while each player selected falls within the top-11. But as she herself acknowledged, there’s no shortage of deserving shooters in this league. She just isn’t among the six picked this time.