Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu will not participate in the 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest, as neither player was included in the list of six competitors announced for the event in Chicago. Notable participants include All-Stars Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard, the 2026 No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd, along with Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, and Janelle Salaün, who is favored for Sixth Woman of the Year. Sources revealed that some invited players declined for various reasons, but no official comments were given by representatives or their teams.

Clark, who joined the league three years ago as a prolific shooter from college, has yet to compete in the contest due to injury setbacks. Last year, she was slated to compete but withdrew because of a groin injury that ended her season. Ionescu, on the other hand, is a two-time winner of the event, having claimed the title in 2023 and 2025, though she skipped the contest in 2024. She recently returned from injury and was not selected as an All-Star this season, marking her first absence since 2021.

The 2026 contest features fewer All-Stars compared to previous years, with key sharpshooters such as Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, and former winner Allisha Gray also absent from the lineup. Last year’s event was dominated by All-Stars, but this year’s format has shifted, emphasizing a broader range of players. The prize for the winner has increased significantly with the new collective bargaining agreement, offering $20,000 and $10,000 for participants, a notable jump from last year’s $2,575 and $1,030 respectively.

While the WNBPA previously partnered with Aflac to add a $60,000 bonus for the winner in 2025, no additional corporate prize money has been announced for the 2026 contest. This year’s event still serves as a platform to spotlight emerging talents like Azzi Fudd and showcases strong contenders aiming to claim the prestigious 3-point shooting crown in one of the league’s marquee skill challenges.