The 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest field is officially set, and our very own Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman is in the mix, ready to rep the Emerald City! The competition is going down Friday at 8 p.m. ET, and while it’s awesome to see Hiedeman stepping onto that stage, the biggest shocker might be who *isn’t* participating. New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who has absolutely owned this contest in two of the last three years, declined an invitation. She wasn’t alone, either. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Lynx star Kayla McBride also turned down their spots, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Talk about leaving some big shoes to fill!
Hiedeman’s Shot and the Competition
With those big names on the sidelines, this contest feels wide open, and Natisha Hiedeman has a real chance to make some noise for the Storm. She’s connecting on 35.2 percent of her triples this season, which is solid, but she’s going up against some serious shooters. Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey is a straight-up flamethrower. She’s racked up 82 three-pointers this season, the most in the entire WNBA, and is still hitting a super efficient 39.2 percent of them. That’s high volume, high accuracy, and it makes her a huge contender.
Then you’ve got Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2026 WNBA draft, showing off her long-range game with a 38.8 percent clip from behind the arc on 5.2 attempts per game. Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün is actually leading all participants in three-point percentage, drilling 39.4 percent of her shots off the bench. Bridget Carleton from the Portland Fire is also sharp, shooting 38.2 percent from deep. Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard isn’t shy about letting it fly, attempting 8.9 three-pointers per game, hitting them at a 35.4 percent rate. Natisha will have her work cut out for her, but we know she loves a challenge.
Big Names Bail, Opening the Door
It’s definitely a head-scratcher when three of the league’s biggest stars opt out of an All-Star event. I mean, Sabrina Ionescu is practically synonymous with the 3-Point Contest after her dominant performances. For her, Caitlin Clark, and Kayla McBride to all decline, it leaves a massive void. But you know what? That’s exactly where someone like Natisha Hiedeman can shine even brighter. It gives her a huge spotlight to show what she’s got and represent the Storm with pride.
The 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest kicks off this Friday, and you know everyone in the Emerald City will be locked in, cheering on Natisha Hiedeman. She’s got a tough field to contend with, but she’s carrying the Seattle banner. Let’s see her light it up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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