Caitlin Clark Reportedly Turns Down Competing in 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend
New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu competed against Stephen Curry in the 2024 three-point contest at All-Star Weekend
Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during a game on June 2, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York.Caitlin Clark has reportedly declined an offer from the NBA to participate in the upcoming All-Star Weekend showcase.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Clark's representatives at Excel Sports said the Indiana Fever star, 23, "will not participate in NBA All-Star special 3-point shootout in San Francisco" after rumors that the WNBA's rookie of the year — who is renowned for her prowess with long-range shots — was invited to compete.
Clark reportedly "wants her first three-point contest to be at WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis this summer," rather than the NBA's, her representatives told Charania on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The rumors of Clark's potential participation in the three-point contest came after the success of last year's face-off between New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu and Stephen Curry.
Fans expected Curry, 36, to compete against Clark in the Saturday competition in San Francisco for a second round of the WNBA vs. NBA matchup.
The 2024 event, in which Ionescu and Curry went toe-to-toe, brought the NBA its highest ratings in four years for All-Star Saturday night programming with 10 million unique viewers, the NBA said.
Jeff Dean/Getty
Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever poses for a photo at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off on Friday, Feb. 14 in San Francisco. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Curry will all compete in the showcase.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Clark declining the NBA's invitation comes just after her 23rd birthday on Jan. 22.
The WNBA star's boyfriend Connor McCaffery penned a sweet tribute to Clark on her birthday.
“Happy 23rd CC ❤️ (finally we’re celebrating together this year 🥹)!” McCaffery, 26, wrote on Instagram.
Dylan Buell/Getty
Caitlin Clark of the WNBA Indiana Fever and boyfriend Connor McCaffery“You have an incredible ability to inspire and lift up those around you, and I am lucky to learn from you every day. Thank you for always being you 🤞🏼I love you 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼”
Clark commented on the post, writing, "“Awh🥺 love you ❤️🔥🖤” in the comments.
Related: Caitlin Clark Teams Up with Scholastic to Support Children's Literacy
And on Feb. 2, the Iowa Hawkeyes will retire her No. 22 jersey in celebration of her record-breaking college career.
In a University of Iowa Athletics press release in December, Clark said, "I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball."
"It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni,” continued Clark. “It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I've admired for so long."
Read the original article on People
