Isiah Thomas, the legendary Detroit Pistons point guard, has ignited a debate by suggesting that Caitlin Clark, the standout player for Iowa women’s college basketball, could rival the shooting prowess of NBA stars Stephen Curry and WNBA sensation Sabrina Ionescu.

“Neither one of them are the greatest shooters, because right now that Caitlin Clark, that’s who I wanna see. Bring Caitlin in… Put 22 from Iowa in this competition, she’s the real deal. She takes the throne.”

Thomas’s bold statement came in the wake of Clark’s historic performance, where she became the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball.

Acknowledging the upcoming three-point contest between Curry and Ionescu at the NBA All-Star weekend, Thomas proposed an intriguing scenario: pitting Caitlin Clark against both of them in a shooting competition. He asserted that neither Curry nor Ionescu are the greatest shooters, hinting at Clark’s exceptional shooting abilities.

Clark’s reputation as an elite shooter is well-founded, considering her remarkable performances and prolific scoring during her tenure with Iowa women’s basketball. With her impressive shooting prowess and ability to deliver under pressure, she has captured the attention of basketball enthusiasts and earned accolades for her remarkable achievements on the court.

Thomas’s bold statement came in the wake of Clark’s historic performance, where she became the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball.

Acknowledging the upcoming three-point contest between Curry and Ionescu at the NBA All-Star weekend, Thomas proposed an intriguing scenario: pitting Caitlin Clark against both of them in a shooting competition. He asserted that neither Curry nor Ionescu are the greatest shooters, hinting at Clark’s exceptional shooting abilities.


 

Clark’s reputation as an elite shooter is well-founded, considering her remarkable performances and prolific scoring during her tenure with Iowa women’s basketball. With her impressive shooting prowess and ability to deliver under pressure, she has captured the attention of basketball enthusiasts and earned accolades for her remarkable achievements on the court.

Enter Stephen Curry, a skinny kid from Davidson College with an unorthodox jump shot and an unwavering confidence in the three-ball. Drafted 7th by the Golden State Warriors, Curry wasn’t supposed to be a game-changer, but he defied expectations. He rained threes, shattering records and mesmerizing audiences with his deep range and pinpoint accuracy.

The impact was immediate. Golden State Warriors, a perennial loser, began winning, and Curry’s infectious enthusiasm for the three spread like wildfire. Teams saw the light. By 2010, attempts per game jumped to 10.1, doubling in one year. It didn’t stop there. The rise continued every season, and by 2016, teams averaged a whopping 24.2 attempts per game, nearly four times the pre-Curry era. Today, the average sits at a staggering 34.6 attempts per game, with some teams launching over 40 per night.

But the revolution isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the space created, the faster pace, and the analytical approach to shot selection. Curry’s success normalized the three, encouraging players of all sizes and skill sets to shoot from deep. It empowered smaller, quicker guards, making them even more valuable. Teams now prioritize spacing and ball movement, exploiting the defensive breakdowns the three-ball creates.

Caitlin Clark heralded as a shooter of the next generation, recently etched her name into NCAA history by breaking the all-time scoring record with a jaw-dropping near-half-court three-pointer.

This remarkable feat not only highlights her individual talent but also speaks to the influence and impact of Stephen Curry on the evolution of basketball.

Curry’s legacy transcends statistics. He popularized a style of play that’s thrilling to watch and has fundamentally changed the game. He inspired a generation of young players, from Caitlin Clark to Trae Young to countless kids on playgrounds around the world, all dreaming of emulating his magic. The three-point line is no longer an afterthought. It’s the lifeblood of the modern NBA, and Stephen Curry is undoubtedly its architect.