Who is better Sabrina Ionescu or Caitlin Clark?
By Jocelyn Alano April 01, 2024 11:47
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Women's college basketball has witnessed the rise of two exceptional athletes, Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark. Both players have left an indelible mark on the sport, displaying extraordinary skills and achieving significant milestones.
Early Careers and Entrance into College Basketball
- Caitlin Clark received her first letter of interest from Missouri State in seventh grade and was ranked as a five-star recruit and fourth in her class by ESPN.
- Sabrina Ionescu, ranked No. 1 in point guards in 2016, had a stellar college basketball career, winning multiple national-level awards.
Scoring Prowess
- Clark became the NCAA women's basketball all-time leading scorer on Feb. 15, reaching 3,569 career points through 126 games.
- Ionescu, despite a shortened senior season, reached 2,562 points through 142 games.
Scoring Comparison
- Clark's average of 28.3 points per game is significantly higher than Ionescu's 18.0.
3-Point Shooting
- Ionescu is known for her 3-point shots and holds the record for the most points scored in the WNBA or NBA 3-point contest.
- Throughout her college career, Ionescu hit 329-of-778 3-pointers, good for 42.2 percent.
- Clark's accuracy from behind the arc is lower at 38.3 percent, but she takes many more shots.
- Clark ranks third all-time in 3-pointers made.
Free Throw Performance
- Clark spends significantly more time at the free throw line than Ionescu did, averaging 6.8 attempts per game.
- Ionescu averaged 3.5 attempts per game with a similar success rate as Clark.
Shooting Percentage
- Ionescu improved greatly from her freshman year to her senior season, going from 39.0 percent in Year 1 to 51.8 percent in Year 4.
- Clark's shooting accuracy has remained consistent, with a career average of 46.8 percent.
Assists and All-Around Game
- Clark has twice led the nation in scoring and assists and has 1,018 career assists.
- Ionescu recorded 1,091 assists through four seasons and led the country her senior season.
- Clark ranks sixth in NCAA history to record more than 1,000 career assists.
- Clark is just the second women's player ever to record 10 or more triple-doubles.
Impact and Potential
- Clark is already regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in women's college basketball history at the age of 22.
- Ionescu's impact on the WNBA and her college basketball career has been significant, breaking multiple records and earning numerous accolades.
Both Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark have made substantial contributions to women's college basketball, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport with their unique strengths and playing styles.
It's important to appreciate the individual strengths and achievements of these remarkable athletes, as they have not only elevated the game of women's basketball but also inspired a new generation of players.
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