The WNBA is rolling out a brand new “Shooting Stars” competition for its All-Star Weekend in Chicago, and guess who’s hitting the court representing the Emerald City? None other than three-time MVP legend Lauren Jackson! This isn’t just another All-Star event, folks; it’s a multi-generational showdown taking over Friday night, and with one of our own Storm legends leading a squad, you know Seattle is locked in.
Lauren Jackson and Flau’jae Johnson Are Ready to Shine
Forget the old Skills Challenge, because the WNBA’s 30th anniversary celebration means they are dropping the “Shooting Stars” competition on Friday, July 23, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. This event is bringing together three different generations of women’s basketball: retired WNBA legends, current WNBA players, and the top high school players from Nike EYBL. Our very own Lauren Jackson, a three-time MVP and absolute icon, is representing Seattle! She is joined by other legends like two-time MVP Elena Delle Donne for Washington, five-time WNBA champion Rebekkah Brunson for Minnesota, and three-time WNBA champion Deanna “Tweety” Nolan for Dallas/Detroit. But wait, there’s more! Our current Storm guard, Flau’jae Johnson, is also on board as one of the active players! She’ll be shooting alongside Mystics center Shakira Austin, Lynx guard Courtney Williams, and Wings forward Jessica Sheppard. The high school talent is still getting their teams assigned, but keep an eye out for Jezelle “GG” Banks, Ryan Carter, Tatianna Griffin, and Morghan Reckley. Plus, honorary General Managers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon are serving as designated passers for two teams each. Man, what a lineup!
New Rules, Big Stakes, and Money on the Line
So, how is this thing going down? Each team gets 70 seconds to rack up as many points as possible from seven different shooting spots around the court. We are talking everything from an easy layup to a deep, long-range 3-pointer. The two teams with the highest scores from the first round move straight into the championship round. This is going to be fast-paced, high-stakes shooting, and you know Lauren Jackson is gonna bring that competitive fire. Even though it’s a new event, the money is already set: current players are expected to get $7,500 just for showing up, and the winner snags an extra $15,000. That is the same payout breakdown they had for the Skills Challenge, so players are getting compensated for putting on a show. The WNBA’s 3-point contest is also happening Friday night, so it is going to be a packed evening of pure buckets.
You are not gonna want to miss this! Our Seattle legend Lauren Jackson, teamed up with our current Storm guard Flau’jae Johnson, hitting the court in Chicago for a brand-new All-Star event is huge. Tune in Friday night at 8 p.m. ET and let’s cheer on our Emerald City representatives as they look to dominate this inaugural “Shooting Stars” competition. This is where legends are made, and we get to see one of ours shine again!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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