Caitlin Clark: The Female Steph Curry Revolutionizing Basketball

When Steph Curry revolutionized the NBA nearly a decade ago, he redefined what it meant to be a shooter. His ability to sink three-pointers from extraordinary distances, off the dribble, and with defenders in his face transformed the way the game was played. Since then, numerous players like Trae Young, Damian Lillard, and Jordan Poole have been compared to Curry, but none have truly matched his level of influence on the sport. Yet, a new star has emerged, not from the NBA, but from the WNBA — Caitlin Clark. Hailed as the “female Steph Curry,” Clark’s remarkable shooting and game-changing presence have earned her this comparison. However, Caitlin Clark is more than just a comparison; she is carving out her own unique place in basketball history.

The Shooting Range: Beyond Ordinary

Caitlin Clark’s rise to fame is not just about her ability to shoot three-pointers — it’s about how and where she shoots them. Like Steph Curry, Clark is a threat the moment she crosses the half-court line. Her range is extraordinary, and her ability to execute long-range shots off the dribble makes her nearly impossible to guard. These aren’t ordinary threes; they are logo threes — shots from way beyond the arc that electrify fans and deflate opponents. This is a critical factor in her being compared to Curry.

While players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard are also known for shooting deep three-pointers, the consistency and volume with which Clark does it is exceptional. During her 2024 season at Iowa, Clark averaged an astounding 13.6 three-point attempts per game, a number that dwarfs most shooters in both the men’s and women’s games. Her ability to drain shots from such long distances forces defenders to extend far beyond the perimeter, creating more space for her teammates and making her offense almost unguardable.

Volume and Impact: More Than Just Numbers

Shooting from long distance isn’t just a stylistic choice for Caitlin Clark; it’s a fundamental part of her game that alters how teams defend her. In the same way that Curry’s shooting transformed NBA defenses, forcing teams to guard him far beyond the arc, Clark’s ability to shoot from distance forces WNBA defenses to adapt in similar ways. Teams now blitz her on pick-and-rolls, trying to trap her and get the ball out of her hands, much like what teams have been doing to Curry for years. However, this often results in four-on-three opportunities for her teammates, a situation where Clark can use her high basketball IQ and exceptional passing to further dismantle the defense.

Her impact goes beyond the raw numbers of points and three-pointers made. It’s about how she controls the flow of the game and forces opponents to change their strategies. Defenses are designed around stopping Caitlin Clark, just as they are for Steph Curry.

Breaking Records: Surpassing Steph

Clark’s three-point shooting has not only drawn comparisons to Curry but has also surpassed some of his records. In 2008, Steph Curry set an NCAA men’s record with 162 three-pointers in a single season while playing for Davidson. At the time, this was considered an almost untouchable achievement. However, in 2024, Caitlin Clark did the unthinkable: she shattered this record by making 211 three-pointers in a single season, a feat that no other player in NCAA history — male or female — has ever accomplished.

This isn’t just a case of surpassing a well-known benchmark; it’s an example of how Clark is pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible in basketball. Her ability to not just meet, but exceed the high standards set by one of the greatest shooters in basketball history highlights her potential to redefine the game in ways we haven’t even imagined yet.

Transforming the WNBA: The Steph Curry Effect

Steph Curry’s influence on the NBA went beyond individual accolades; he changed how the game was played, how it was marketed, and even how teams were valued. His rise coincided with a massive surge in the NBA’s popularity, as the league experienced exponential growth in team valuations and global viewership starting around 2015.

Caitlin Clark is beginning to have a similar impact on the WNBA. Since Clark’s emergence as a star, the league has seen a significant increase in viewership and fan engagement. From 2021 to 2023, the WNBA experienced steady growth, but in 2024, the year Caitlin Clark made her debut, there was an undeniable surge in viewership and interest in the league. Her ability to captivate audiences with her unique style of play has made her a transformative figure for women’s basketball, much like Curry was for the NBA.

Clark’s popularity has tripled WNBA viewership in some games, bringing thousands of new fans to the sport. She is not just a player; she is a movement, drawing attention to women’s basketball in ways that few have before her. Her influence extends beyond the court and into the broader cultural conversation about women’s sports.

Facing Backlash: Similar Struggles

As Steph Curry’s fame grew, he faced his share of criticism. Some players and fans resented his rise, accusing him of being a “golden boy” who benefited from an idealized image. Curry, despite his unparalleled success, didn’t always receive the respect he deserved, particularly early in his career. Similarly, Caitlin Clark has faced criticism and even hostility as her star has risen. Before entering the WNBA, she was already the subject of intense debate, with some critics questioning her abilities and downplaying her achievements.

Once she joined the league, the attacks became more physical. In one notable incident, a player openly declared that they would pick another player over Clark if they had the first pick in the draft. The skepticism around her abilities echoes some of the dismissiveness Curry faced early in his NBA career. However, just like Curry, Clark is letting her game speak for itself, proving time and again that she belongs among the elite.

Conclusion: A Star in Her Own Right

While the comparisons to Steph Curry are flattering and well-deserved, Caitlin Clark is much more than just the “female Steph Curry.” She is a revolutionary talent in her own right, breaking records, transforming the way the game is played, and drawing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball. As her career continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark is not just following in Curry’s footsteps — she’s blazing her own trail.