Women's college basketball, much like the rest of the sport, has witnessed a surge in three-point shooting. Over the past decade, the frequency of long-range attempts has grown by more than 10%. A standout player, known for her audacious shooting performances, has drawn significant attention to the game. Let's take a closer look at the top ten sharpshooters leading women's college basketball into this exciting era:
Caitlin Clark, the star of Iowa's hardwood, excels in various aspects of the game, but her shooting skills stand out. As a freshman, she led the nation in scoring and ranked fourth in three-point attempts. Despite a sophomore slump, Clark rebounded with remarkable numbers, securing a national championship game appearance and a Naismith Player of the Year award. Her shooting percentage is impressive, though her willingness to shoot from almost anywhere in Iowa can affect her overall accuracy.
Iowa will heavily rely on Clark's shooting abilities to fill the void left by the departure of Monika Czinano and McKenna Warnock in the frontcourt, aiming for another Final Four run.
Hannah Jump, a lifelong Bay Area resident, has perfected the three-point shot during her time at Stanford. She boasts a remarkable 44% conversion rate, with a significant portion of her attempts coming from beyond the arc. Jump's ability to find open shots by maneuvering around screens and exploiting space on the perimeter is commendable.
With her backcourt partner Haley Jones in the WNBA, Jump may be called upon to expand her role and become a more versatile scorer for Stanford.
Brynna Maxwell's journey in college basketball has seen its ups and downs. After a promising freshman year at Utah, where she shot over 47% from long range, Maxwell encountered a challenging sophomore season. However, she bounced back and excelled at Gonzaga, achieving an impressive 48% three-point shooting percentage in 2022-23.
Maxwell's quick release and proficiency in both catch-and-shoot and off-dribble situations make her a versatile perimeter scorer.
Kaylynne Truong's college career, similar to Maxwell's, has seen its share of highs and lows. Starting as a sharp-shooting freshman with a 44% three-point shooting rate, Truong overcame difficulties in her sophomore and junior years to shine in the 2022-23 season.
Additionally, her ability to contribute five assists per game cements her as one of the best point guards in college basketball. Gonzaga will look to Truong to lead them to another successful tournament appearance.
Sydney Taylor faces the challenging task of replacing Hailey Van Lith's significant minutes after her transfer to LSU. She's known for her high-volume perimeter scoring, attempting 8.2 three-point shots per game, ranking her seventh nationally in this category.
Taylor has already demonstrated her ability to make crucial shots, and Louisville hopes that her sharpshooting skills and clutch performances will shine in ACC play.
Te-Hina Paopao, a guard for South Carolina, earned praise from coach Dawn Staley, who considers her part of the best backcourt she's ever coached. Paopao spent three years at Oregon, with her three-point shooting percentage rebounding to over 42% after a sophomore slump.
She excels in catch-and-shoot situations and isn't afraid to take tough shots from beyond the arc.
Sammie Puisus transferred to South Florida after three seasons at Florida State, and the move paid off with a significant increase in her scoring output. Puisus has a knack for making long-range shots, and she's not afraid to shoot from deep.
Her ability to generate open looks off the ball, along with her willingness to attempt deep three-pointers, makes her a valuable asset for South Florida.
Abbey Hsu, the Ivy League's record holder for three-pointers in a single season, returns for another season with Columbia, aiming to lead her team to an NCAA Tournament appearance. She's one of the most prolific perimeter shooters in college basketball, ranking second in threes made and fourth in attempts.
Hsu's confidence and her ability to use her height to shoot over defenders make her a force to be reckoned with.
Frida Formann, hailing from Denmark, has made significant strides in her shooting skills during her time in Colorado. In the 2022-23 season, she achieved an impressive 39.2% shooting rate from beyond the arc, hitting four out of ten attempts per game.
Formann's clutch performances in NCAA tournament games have also been vital in Colorado's success.
Paige Bueckers, while having played only 13 games since her last complete season in 2021, remains one of the most effective shooters in college basketball. She didn't rely heavily on the three-point shot in her game, but when given the opportunity, she was one of the best shooters.
Despite an injury-shortened season, Bueckers' track record and pedigree suggest that she belongs among the nation's top shooters.
