While the New York Liberty took off right from where they left off in the last regular season, the team’s gameplay coming into the 2025 WNBA All-Star games was no different. The opponents felt the heat in Indianapolis on Friday as Liberty guard Natasha Cloud dominated the Skills Challenge, securing herself a first victory parade.

The Skills Challenge is a highly energetic contest that features a series of tasks generic to the sport, but replete with a full-blown obstacle course. The contest tested players’ prowess in bounce and chest passes, corner and elbow shots, with shots at the top of the key, and through a driving layup. But here’s the catch. The athlete with the fastest record would take the win and the hefty sum.

How much prize money did Natasha Cloud win in the 2025 WNBA All-Star challenge?

Needless to say, Cloud was on a high from the get-go. She finished the first round within 34.1 seconds. But while the second round was tougher for the Liberty star, she gained a stupendous 1.1-second edge and ousted Erica Wheeler with a whopping 36.4 seconds under her belt. So, it was no surprise when the hardwood echoed with Cloud’s name.

“It’s been a blessing for our careers to collide in New York, for us to both be feeling comfortable and safe in the New York organization that’s just top-tier through and through,” Cloud told ESPN broadcaster Holly Rowe. The athlete was grateful for her team, the New York Liberty, after winning the trophy and the challenge. While Natasha won the challenge through an impressive and gritty showdown, let us understand the prize money for the 2025 Skills Challenge.

Sports reporter Colin Salao shared a clip on social media, featuring an ecstatic Natasha Cloud celebrating her recent victory. In the caption, he gave a breakdown of the prize money. “Natasha Cloud just won the 2025 WNBA Skills Challenge. She will take home a total of $57,575: – $2,575 coming from the WNBA, per the CBA – $55,000 coming from Aflac, a WNBPA partner.”

According to Salao, the Liberty athlete is subjected to a total of $57,575. This lucrative sum comes from two agencies. One is the WNBA, whose prize amount for the Skills Challenge amounts to $2,575. But the major contributor for the prize money is Aflac. The insurance company gifted a whopping $55,000 to Natasha Cloud. For the Liberty guard, it was a sum long-awaited.

Couple exits Gainbridge with a dream fulfilled

“But this is for our family,” Natasha chimed as the crowds cheered. The guard reminisced on how her teammate and partner, Isabelle Harrison, had motivated Cloud by igniting the need to win. “[Harrison] over here told me, I better win today for a down payment on a house. So, baby you’re going to get that house!” she declared.

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.”

Moreover, the New York Liberty made history today. While Natasha clinched the victory and Sabrina Ionescu secured the 3-point contest title, Liberty became the third team in the league to include two winners of the weekend competitions ever since the games began. The other two teams were Las Vegas Aces, with players Becky Hammon and Sophia Young winning the same challenge, and Minnesota Lynx with players Seimone Augustus and Charde Houston.