Friday night in Chicago, the WNBA’s 2026 All-Star Weekend kicks off with the 3-point contest and the new Shooting Stars competition. But before any balls even swish, there’s already some serious drama brewing, and our very own Seattle Storm star, Natisha Hiedeman, is stepping into the fire with some seriously long odds.
The Drama Is Real, But Our Storm Guard Is Ready to Shoot
This year’s All-Star Weekend isn’t just a celebration of the league’s 30th anniversary; it’s a powder keg of controversy for the 3-point contest. Big names and fan favorites like Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, and Kayla McBride aren’t even in the six-shooter field! Ionescu flat out said she never got an official invite, and McBride even claimed she got a “half-ass invite.” Talk about a snub, right? Despite that mess, there’s still an intriguing lineup ready to compete, featuring the No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, this season’s 3-point shooting leader Marina “Money” Mabrey, and yeah, one half of the StudBudz in our very own Natisha Hiedeman.
New Competition, Wild Odds, and Expert Takes
Beyond the 3-point fireworks, Friday also features the Shooting Stars competition. This event is a WNBA first, replacing the usual Skills Challenge, and it’s gonna be cool. We’re talking four teams, three generations of women’s basketball, with retired WNBA legends, current WNBA players, and top high school players from Nike EYBL all on the court. But back to the main event, the 3-point contest odds are wild. Azzi Fudd is the favorite at +210, Marina Mabrey is right there at +300, and then you’ve got Janelle Salaun (+450), Bridget Carleton (+600), Rhyne Howard (+600). And Hiedeman? Our Storm sharpshooter is way out at +900.
Expert Lindsay Gibbs is all-in on Mabrey, saying it’s “a breakout season” for the Toronto Tempo star. Gibbs noted Mabrey “absolutely loves a spotlight” and with “vibes sky-high,” she’s “going to dominate.” Isabel Gonzalez, on the other hand, is rolling with Fudd. She thinks if Fudd “finds her rhythm early,” the rookie could “compete with anybody,” despite a former UConn player never winning. Gonzalez likes Fudd’s “impeccable shooting form” and “quick wrist-only release” to give her an edge. Jack Maloney also jumped on the Mabrey train. It’s clear our girl Hiedeman is a serious underdog in this stacked field.
So, can Natisha shock everyone? You can catch all the WNBA All-Star Friday action, including the 3-point contest, on Saturday, July 24, at 8 p.m. ET. Tune into ESPN or stream it live on fubo and cheer on our Storm star as she tries to defy those +900 odds! It’s gonna be a must-watch night.
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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