Caitlin Clark Sets New WNBA Rookie Record for 3-Pointers in a Season

Dawn Staley, head coach of South Carolina, commented, “Caitlin plays with such passion and fearlessness. She is the kind of player who brings excitement to every game”​ Basketball Mindset Training

Caitlin Clark, a rising star in the WNBA, made history once again on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever guard broke the league’s rookie record for most 3-pointers in a season during a game against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark hit her 86th shot from beyond the arc, surpassing the previous record of 85 set by Rhyne Howard in 2022.

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Caitlin Clark, the dynamic rookie guard has etched her name in WNBA history. In a recent game, Clark surpassed Rhyne Howard’s rookie record for most three-pointers made in a single season.#OKFun #OKFunph #WNBA #WNBAbasketball #sports #caitlinclark #CryptoGaming pic.twitter.com/1H0MtiwCkK

— OK.fun PH (@okfunphl) August 29, 2024

Just three minutes into the first quarter, Clark nailed a step-back 3-pointer over Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington, securing her place in the WNBA record books. Clark went on to score 19 points in the game, shooting 3-for-12 from 3-point range and 7-for-17 from the field. Her efforts were crucial in the Fever’s nail-biting 84-80 victory over the Sun, a game that was decided in the final moments thanks to a layup by Clark that gave Indiana a slim lead.

Clark had previously tied the rookie 3-point record on Monday night, sinking four 3-pointers in the Fever’s win against the Atlanta Dream. Her fourth-quarter step-back three over Rhyne Howard during that game in Georgia brought her level with Howard’s record.

As of Wednesday, Clark is averaging 18 points and a league-high 8.2 assists per game this season, solidifying her status as one of the top rookies in the league. She averages 2.8 made 3-pointers per game, which is the fourth-best mark in the WNBA. Earlier this month, she became the fastest player in league history to reach 500 points and 200 assists, a milestone no other rookie has achieved.

During her collegiate career at Iowa, Clark was a standout, shooting nearly 38% from 3-point range and becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer for both men’s and women’s basketball. She led Iowa to consecutive national championship games and averaged 5.2 made 3-pointers per game during her senior year.

📊 CAITLIN CLARK NOW HAS THE MOST THREE POINTERS MADE BY A ROOKIE IN #WNBA HISTORY! 👌

Clark drains her 86th 3PM of the the season, passing Rhyne Howard’s record of 85 set back in 2022 pic.twitter.com/qek4mWEwNB

— NBA News 24 (@nbaitalianews24) August 29, 2024

The Fever, who entered their matchup against the Sun with a 14-16 record, have been on a hot streak, winning five of their last seven games to remain in the playoff race. Their recent success marks a significant turnaround for the team, as they have now won 14 games in a season for the first time since 2016. Currently, the Fever are seventh in the league standings, pushing hard for a spot in the playoffs.

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• Shaquille O’Neal praised Clark for her “exceptional shooting ability” and noted that she is “changing the game for women’s basketball with her style of play”​Basketball Mindset Training
• Lisa Leslie, former WNBA star, remarked on Clark’s leadership, saying, “Caitlin Clark has an infectious energy that elevates her entire team, and that’s a mark of a true leader in the sport”​ Basketball Mindset Training

Key Points:

i. Caitlin Clark broke the WNBA rookie record for most 3-pointers in a season with 86, surpassing Rhyne Howard’s previous record of 85.

ii. Clark’s 3-point milestone came early in a game against the Connecticut Sun, where she scored 19 points to help secure an 84-80 win for the Indiana Fever.

iii. She is averaging 18 points, 8.2 assists, and 2.8 made 3-pointers per game, leading all rookies and ranking fourth in the league for 3-pointers.

iv. Clark also became the fastest WNBA player to reach 500 points and 200 assists in a season, an unprecedented achievement for a rookie.

v. The Indiana Fever are fighting for a playoff spot, sitting seventh in the standings after winning five of their last seven games.

Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News