New York Liberty Star Reveals Plan For Prize Money After Winning WNBA All-Star Event

Jul 19, 2025 1:39 PM EDT

After playing half of this season with the New York Liberty, veteran guard Natasha Cloud secured one of her biggest triumphs on Friday.

Cloud, 33, won the KIA Skills Challenge, a part of WNBA All-Star weekend, beating fellow competitors Erica Wheeler (Seattle Storm), Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream), Skylar Diggins (Storm) and Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx). In her first skills challenge appearance, Cloud completed the obstacle course in 34.1 seconds during the opening round to advance to the final.

She put up a 36.4-second time in the final to edge Wheeler, who finished in 37.5 seconds. Gray, who won the competition in 2024, posted 39.4 seconds and was eliminated with Williams and Diggins in the first round.

Cloud was awarded $50,000 and a $2,575 bonus for winning the competition, which she plans to use to help her family make a “big purchase.”

“That’s a lot of money to provide for my family, and we’re making a big purchase of a home this offseason, so that’s where this money is going,” she said during a video posted on X by the WNBA.

“It feels really good to be here this weekend. This is my first All-Star weekend where I’m involved, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to win.”

After Cloud’s triumph, her teammate Sabrina Ionescu won the Starry 3-point contest, netting her $60,000 and a $2,575 bonus. Ionescu beat Gray, Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks), Lexie Hull (Indiana Fever) and Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) by finishing the competition with 30 3-pointers made.

“It feels amazing,” Ionescu said. “Haven’t done this in a while, so I was nervous but excited to be back with a lot of amazing shooters around me to help elevate my game to another win.”