– Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker, Dallas Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally, Las Vegas Aces’ Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum,

New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot Set to Compete –

– Kia’s Debut as Presenting Partner of WNBA’s Skills Challenge to Include

a Kia EV6 Positioned as an Obstacle Along Course –

– Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and STARRY^® 3-Point Contest to Air Live on ESPN on Friday, July 14

(1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET) as Part of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2023 Events –  

NEW YORK, July 11, 2023 – The 2023 Kia WNBA Skills Challenge will feature a new format when, for the first time, four sets of All-Star teammates will go head-to-head in a two-round, timed, obstacle course, relay competition that tests agility, dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. Among the obstacles positioned along the course will be a Kia EV6.

ESPN will broadcast the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and the WNBA STARRY^® 3-Point Contest on Friday, July 14 from Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN, 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET).

The Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and the STARRY^® 3-Point Contest are key elements in a series of WNBA events scheduled for Las Vegas, the centerpiece of which is the 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 15, also at Michelob Ultra Arena (ABC, 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET).

Team Dream will feature the Atlanta Dream’s first-time All-Stars Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker. Team Wings is comprised of three-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale and two-time All-Star Satou Sabally. Team Aces includes the Las Vegas Aces’ five-time All-Star Chelsea Gray and two-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, and Team Liberty is made up of two-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu and five-time All-Star Courtney Vandersloot.

The first round will feature all four teams competing one at a time in a race against the clock. As each team goes on the clock, Player 1 will complete the obstacle course and will be followed by their teammate, Player 2. The two teams that successfully complete the course with the fastest times will advance to the final round and compete on the same course for the championship. In the event of a tie, if necessary to determine a team that will advance to the final round or determine the champion, the tied teams shall repeat the course.

Below are the rosters of participants for the 2023 Kia WNBA Skills Challenge:

In addition to the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge featuring WNBA stars, fans will have an opportunity to showcase their own basketball skills and win prizes while participating in a 30-second version of the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge located at WNBA Live presented by U.S. Bank in Mandalay Bay Convention Center’s Bayside Hall F. The fan-friendly activation featuring passing, dribbling, and shooting will be set on a footprint powered by the all-electric Kia EV6.

Beginning on Friday, July 14 at 12 p.m. PT and running through Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m. PT, WNBA Live presented by U.S. Bank is a two-day, interactive fan festival that will celebrate the intersection of the WNBA, fashion, music, and culture.

2023 Kia WNBA Skills Challenge – Competition Format and Rules                             

Four (4) teams each consisting of two (2) players compete in a timed obstacle course relay competition that tests agility, dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.

COMPETITION RULES

• Teams compete one at a time.
• Both players from each team participate in a relay.
• First player must complete the course:
• 25-foot chest pass at a target from the baseline, complete the pass to move on or max three (3) valid attempts.
• Dribble downcourt through four (4) pylons, including the 2023 Kia EV6.
• Short shot in the lane, move on after a make or three (3) valid attempts.
• Left corner three-point shot, move on after a make or three (3) valid attempts.
• Dribble to opposite goal and make a basket (dunk, layup, jump shot, etc.).
• Second player starts when they either rebound the previous player’s shot or receive a pass from the previous player after the made basket.

FIRST ROUND

• The order of competition will be determined by the WNBA.
• The two teams with the fastest times advance to the Final Round.

FINAL ROUND

• Two teams will compete in the Final Round.
• The competition order for the Final Round will be determined by the inverse order of First Round times. (e.g., the team with the slower time will go first)

DISQUALIFICATION – Players are subject to disqualification at the final discretion/judgment of the referee for failure to complete all the challenges.

TIEBREAKER – In the event of a tie, the teams shall repeat the course.

About Kia America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electrified vehicles sold through a network of over 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The K5, Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride (excludes HEV and PHEV models) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.