Just when Lexi Held thought her basketball season was over, a new challenge awaits the All-BIG EAST Second Team guard.
Held was notified on Tuesday that she has been selected to compete in the Rocket Mortgage Women's 3-Point Championship Thursday in New Orleans televised at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
The Blue Demon senior will be among eight players shooting it out at the Convocation Center on the campus of Xavier University of Louisiana.
It is part of the 33rd annual State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships kicking off the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four weekend with Kansas and Villanova tangling Saturday in the first semifinal game followed by the first-ever NCAA tournament showdown between fierce ACC rivals Duke and North Carolina.
As the warm-up act, event producer Intersport invites 24 of the nation's elite men's and women's college basketball players to compete for slam dunk and three-point shooting bragging rights.
The night features the Great Clips Slam Dunk Championship, the TaxAct Men's 3-Point Championship, the Rocket Mortgage Women's 3-Point Shooting Championship and the Applebee's Team Shootout.
The men's and women's three-point winners will compete in the State Farm Battle of the Champions.
"I was definitely surprised when coach (Doug Bruno) told me around noon," said Held who is fifth all-time in three-pointers at DePaul with 238. "It's last-minute, but I like that vibe of being busy and on-the-go.
"My flight to New Orleans leaves early on Wednesday morning. I believe there will be time to shoot around at the Convocation Center tomorrow.
"I did find out there's a $5,000 prize for the winner. That's a little bit of incentive."
Held said she had competed in a three-point contest in high school.
"I didn't win it, but I did OK," said Held who made 66-of-171 from deep this season for a career-best 38.6 percent.
What is her strategy going in?
"Don't think---just shoot," she responded immediately. "I've been shooting it well my whole life. Don't think too much. That can mess you up."
The last Blue Demon to compete in the college three-point contest was Jessica January in 2017, and she advanced to the semifinals. Sam Quigley also made it to the semifinals in 2011.
Other DePaul players who have competed include Megan Podkowa (2016), Brittany Hrynko (2015), Allie Quigley (2008), Jenni Dant (2005) and Kim Williams (1997).
Some of Held's three-point competition includes Rhyne Howard of Kentucky, Karissa McLaughlin of Marquette, Amber Ramirez of Arkansas, Kendall Spray of Florida Gulf Coast and Deja Winters of Minnesota.
A complete roster of participants in the 2022 State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships will be released leading up to the event.
For more than 30 years, top players in college basketball have competed in the College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships including Gary Payton, Steve Nash, Jason Terry, Kyle Korver, Bobby Hurley, Michael Finley, Allan Houston, Wesley Matthews, Yogi Ferrell, Cappie Pondexter, Katie Gearlds, Kristi Toliver, Tiffany Hayes and Ariel Atkins.
For more information, visit CollegeSlam.com and follow us on Twitter (@CollegeSLAM) and Instagram (@College_Slam).
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