In women’s college basketball, 3-pointers have sort of become the answer to dunks in the men’s game. They bring excitement, they can swing games, they can force crowds to their feet and they can shift momentum.
A season ago, nine of the 12 teams that shot 37 percent or better from deep range made the NCAA Tournament. Three of those teams advanced to the tournament’s second weekend, and the team that was sixth-best in 3-point shooting last year — UConn — won the national championship.
And six of the 10 teams that knocked down at least nine 3-pointers per game last season went dancing in March Madness too.
Remember, before she went off the the WNBA, Caitlin Clark powered Iowa to back-to-back national title game appearances with her ridiculous and highlight-worthy shooting from deep range. Last season, Azzi Fudd’s shot-making ability from 3-point land was a big reason why the Huskies won it all.
With the importance of the 3-pointer in mind, these are the players worth paying close attention to this season when it comes to marksmanship from behind the arc.
A season ago, among players who featured in at least 20 games, Weiss ranked seventh nationally in 3-pointers made per game with 3.1 — which is also the most amongst players returning to the sport this season, according to Her Hoop Stats. As a sophomore, the 5-foot-10 guard from Hewlett, New York shot 37.6 percent from behind the arc. She also led the Lions — who won an NCAA Tournament game for the first time ever last season — in scoring with 17.8 points per game. This preseason, Weiss has been named to Her Hoop Stats’ watchlist for the Becky Hammon Award, given annually to the nation’s top mid-major player.
One could easily make the case that Kneepkens was the best shooter available in the transfer portal this past offseason. Last year at Utah, she ranked ninth nationally in 3-pointers made per game (3.0) and was 28th in shooting percentage from deep with a 44.8 percent mark. That clip was also sixth best nationally among players who attempted at least 6.5 3-pointers per game last season. For her career across 104 games — 96 of them starts — she’s a 43.2 percent 3-point shooter. She should give the Bruins a reliable perimeter threat as they aim to go back to the Final Four.
As a freshman last season, Turner ranked seventh nationally in total 3-pointers made with 105 and was 17th in 3-point percentage with a 45.7 percent clip. Among players returning to women’s college basketball this season that attempted at least five shots per game from deep range last season, Turner’s 3-point shooting percentage is the best. If Turner keeps developing and improving, she could quickly establish herself as the best sharpshooter in the sport.
T’yana Todd, Ohio State
While playing for Boston College last season as a junior, Todd shot 45.9 percent from behind the arc, which was 15th best nationally and the top mark amongst players in the ACC who attempted at least three 3-pointers per game. She’ll be expected to put up similar numbers in the Big Ten this season with the Buckeyes.
Grace Slaughter, Missouri
As a sophomore for the Tigers last season, Slaughter ranked 14th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage with a 45.9 percent mark. That clip was also the best amongst all players in the SEC who attempted at least 1.5 3-pointers per game last season. She should be a key contributor for Missouri this season as first-year head coach Kellie Harper attempts to rebuild the Tigers.
Also watch: Kiki Smith (Purdue), Tessa Johnson (South Carolina), Sydney Harris (Iowa State), Taryn Sides (Kansas State), Yarden Garzon (Maryland), Taylor McCabe (Iowa), Carla Viegas (Pitt), Lani White (Virginia Tech), Tanyuel Welch (Arizona), Abbie Aalsma (Drake), Keira Hanson (Vermont), Elle Evans (Kansas), Rachel Ullstrom (Richmond)
