Sabrina Ionescu Declines to Keep Entire $62K Winnings from 3-Point Contest for Unique Reason

Sabrina Ionescu Declines to Keep Entire $62K Winnings from 3-Point Contest for Unique Reason originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Despite a handful of teams being represented during the skills competition and 3-point contest as a part of Friday's WNBA All-Star weekend, there was one team that had the best night.

The New York Liberty produced the winner for both events, as Natasha Cloud won the skills champion and $57,575, which she announced she plans to use for a house. As for the 3-point contest, the winner was four-time WNBA Champion, Sabrina Ionescu.

This actually marked the second time that Ionescu won the event, as she also was crowned the champion in 2023. Although Ionescu was awarded $62,575 for winning the event, she will not be taking home the entire amount.

Ionescu told the media after the events that she will be splitting her prize with Washington Mystics rookie, Sonia Citron. Ionescu revealed that she admired Citron's courage to partake in the event despite still getting used to the WNBA in general.

"I told Sonia that I would give her half if I won when we were sitting on the bench," Ionescu said. "As being like the only rookie and she was nervous and I was nervous for her... So I obviously have to hold up my end of the bargain. So half is gonna go to her. I gotta text her and let her know I'm gonna give her half of it.

"Just for participating, like that takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie," Ionescu added. "And what she did and I was really proud of her."

Ionescu also revealed that the other half will be going to charity, meaning she will not be pocketing any of the money.

She won the event with a score of 30, marking the second-highest outing in the WNBA 3-point contest, trailing only her 2023 performance, which saw her score 37.

Ionescu and Team Clark will look to secure another win on Saturday in the WNBA All-Star Game, which is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET and air on ABC.

Related: Caitlin Clark Turns Heads After Interaction With Her Boyfriend

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.