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INDIANAPOLIS — Natasha Cloud was crowned this year’s WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge champion Friday and promised her Liberty teammate and partner a house.
Cloud bested a field of five in the first round after clocking in at 34.1 seconds.
In the finals, she beat Erica Wheeler by 1.1 seconds to win the $55,000 prize.
Wheeler was the first player to congratulate Cloud. Sabrina Ionescu — who ran down the sideline — was the second as she engulfed her in a tight hug.
Before the competition, Isabelle Harrison told Cloud she needed to win so they could put a down payment on a house.
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After being presented the glass pillar-like trophy, Cloud gushed about Harrison and how safe they feel playing in New York. She also told Harrison, “You’re gonna get that house.”
Cloud also gave a shoutout to her parents, who couldn’t make the trip to Indianapolis to watch her.
“Mom and dad, I love you all so much,” she said. “This is for y’all. This award should’ve came a long time ago, but I got you 10 years in.”
Cloud has never been named an All-Star, but she viewed participating in this year’s skills challenge — which features an obstacle course that tests a player’s passing precision and shooting — as a way to get her foot in the door.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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