Sue Bird says this Caitlin Clark move gave the WNBA ‘antidote to dunking’

Caitlin Clark had an outstanding debut scoring season in the WNBA, ranking seventh in the league with an average of 19.2 points per game and winning the Rookie of the Year award.

WNBA legend Sue Bird believes that one particular shot has helped raise the profile of women’s basketball in recent years: Clark’s signature logo 3-pointers.

“The casual fan, who may not be a big basketball enthusiast but attends games with friends, has been drawn in by these 3-point shots,” Bird said on The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly. “We struggled to gain recognition in the past, but Caitlin has truly elevated the game with her talent.”

“Caitlin’s remarkable 3-point shooting has brought a fresh excitement to the game,” Bird added, highlighting the success of the WNBA Finals in recent years. “Her ability to make logo 3s has transformed the game and provided a new level of entertainment.”

Clark’s incredible 3-point shooting skills gained her national attention during her junior year at Iowa, where she was the second-highest scorer in the country. Despite losing in the national championship game, the match drew a record 9.9 million viewers.

As she returned for her senior season at Iowa, Clark continued to break records and attract large audiences with her impressive shooting. She even surpassed Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record, further solidifying her place in basketball history.

Selected as the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft, Clark’s long-range shooting abilities have translated well to the professional level. She leads the league in 3-point attempts from beyond 28 feet and boasts an 86% Rim & 3-Point Rate, securing her status as a standout player in the WNBA.