How does Paige's season compare to the best freshman seasons in WCBB? | The Boneyard

How does Paige's season compare to the best freshman seasons in WCBB?

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Article in the athletic listing the 6 best Freshman seasons in WCBB history. Lots of details in the article not given because of paywall​

theathletic.com

Ranking the best freshman seasons in women's CBB history ... and the Paige Bueckers question

Paige Bueckers' fast start has raised questions about where her freshman season will fall among the greatest. Here's what she's up against.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
​



Paige Bueckers, UConn | 2020-2021​

21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals​

​

1. Cheryl Miller, USC | 1982-83​

20.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.5 SPG, 2.4 BPG

2. Tamika Catchings, Tennessee | 1997-98​

18.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.6 BPG

3. Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee | 1995-96​

16.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.1 APG

4. Maya Moore, UConn | 2007-08​

17.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.1 SPG

5. Courtney Paris, Oklahoma | 2005-06​

21.9 PPG, 15 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 1.7 APG

6. Katie Smith, Ohio State | 1992-93​

18.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG
 
Paige is already freshman of the year and probably an All-American...I hope all this early glory does not change her too much.
 
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Some others that might deserve some consideration--Candace Parker, Candice Wiggins, Nicole Powell.
 
Happydad745 said:
Paige is already freshman of the year and probably an All-American...I hope all this early glory does not change her too much.
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She also should be Player of the Year based on merit if the vote happened today. I hope they dont take that away from her because she's a freshman.
 
eebmg said:

Article in the athletic listing the 6 best Freshman seasons in WCBB history. Lots of details in the article not given because of paywall​

theathletic.com

Ranking the best freshman seasons in women's CBB history ... and the Paige Bueckers question

Paige Bueckers' fast start has raised questions about where her freshman season will fall among the greatest. Here's what she's up against.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
​



Paige Bueckers, UConn | 2020-2021​

21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals​

​

1. Cheryl Miller, USC | 1982-83​

20.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.5 SPG, 2.4 BPG

2. Tamika Catchings, Tennessee | 1997-98​

18.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.6 BPG

3. Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee | 1995-96​

16.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.1 APG

4. Maya Moore, UConn | 2007-08​

17.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.1 SPG

5. Courtney Paris, Oklahoma | 2005-06​

21.9 PPG, 15 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 1.7 APG

6. Katie Smith, Ohio State | 1992-93​

18.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG
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Awesome list! How come Courtney Paris didn't do much in the WNBA.
Highly recommend- HBO documentary- "Women of Troy". Cheryl Miller, what a sensation! A bit bittersweet, because she wasn't able to have a huge professional basketball life because of weak to no leagues and injuries.
 

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No Jackie Stiles or Kelsey Plum? Imagine they must have had pretty decent freshman seasons.
 
chrissaran said:
No Jackie Stiles or Kelsey Plum? Imagine they must have had pretty decent freshman seasons.
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I'm biased of course, but I didn't throw Plum's name into the conversation because UW was jut getting back to respectability then, and her shooting numbers weren't real efficient. She was definitely a 20 ppg scorer right out of the chute though. They did manage to hand Stanford their only conference loss that year, Card were ranked #3 at the time. That was a pretty big upset, and Plum had a really good game.
 
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MilfordHusky said:
It's strange that Catch's scoring went down after her freshman year. That was her Tennessee peak. I wouldn't have guessed that.
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She thrived in a Robin role to Holdsclaw's Batman. Tennessee her freshman season was a run and gun, full court press type of team and she thrived on getting steals and easy buckets, hence the higher percentages and points. Playing in Holdsclaw's shadow too afforded her better looks her first 2 years. She did very well in a go to role as an upperclassman but overall the Tennessee teams of her junior/season year had a lot more depth which watered down numbers. Still won most POY awards as a junior and would've been in the mix her senior year if not for the ACL.
 
Vowelguy said:
#1 - 3 all won NCs

I would probably put CH above TC just because that 98 TN had a lot more talent.
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100%. Holdsclaw was the go to player on that Tennessee championship team similar to how Miller was at USC and how Paige is to UCONN this year. Catchings had higher numbers but that was a product of the team playing at a faster pace, with more talented teammates and playing more efficiently. Holdsclaw carried her team as a freshman where Catchings didn't, so I'd rank Holdsclaw above Catch. Miller deservedly is #1. Moore would've been my #1 or #2 overall had she led her team to the title as a frosh. If Bueckers leads UCONN to a title, she'll be either #1 or #2 in my book. Probably number one considering she's carrying such a massive load now but if they don't win, it's probably #3 or #4.
 
chrissaran said:
No Jackie Stiles or Kelsey Plum? Imagine they must have had pretty decent freshman seasons.
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Not a chance either should be mentioned. Players can score a lot of points but if they don't make the team dramatically better, they don't deserve to be on all time lists. Both led their programs to greatness as upperclassmen, but their teams weren't significantly improved compared to the year before they came.
 
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eebmg said:

Article in the athletic listing the 6 best Freshman seasons in WCBB history. Lots of details in the article not given because of paywall​

theathletic.com

Ranking the best freshman seasons in women's CBB history ... and the Paige Bueckers question

Paige Bueckers' fast start has raised questions about where her freshman season will fall among the greatest. Here's what she's up against.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
​



Paige Bueckers, UConn | 2020-2021​

21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals​

​

1. Cheryl Miller, USC | 1982-83​

20.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.5 SPG, 2.4 BPG

2. Tamika Catchings, Tennessee | 1997-98​

18.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.6 BPG

3. Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee | 1995-96​

16.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.1 APG

4. Maya Moore, UConn | 2007-08​

17.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.1 SPG

5. Courtney Paris, Oklahoma | 2005-06​

21.9 PPG, 15 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 1.7 APG

6. Katie Smith, Ohio State | 1992-93​

18.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG
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I think they got this list pretty spot on but I'd put Candace Parker on here somewhere, though she was a RS freshman which is why she may not have been included. Parker, Moore, Holdsclaw and Bueckers are the 4 most polished and skilled freshman I've seen enter the collegiate ranks.

Other names of big standout freshmen include Alana Beard, Brittney Griner, Candice Wiggins, and Kelsey Mitchell. Could make a strong argument too for Stewart and Clarissa Davis based on winning titles and F4 MOP as freshmen.
 
nwhoopfan said:
I'm biased of course, but I didn't throw Plum's name into the conversation because UW was jut getting back to respectability then, and her shooting numbers weren't real efficient. She was definitely a 20 ppg scorer right out of the chute though. They did manage to hand Stanford their only conference loss that year, Card were ranked #3 at the time. That was a pretty big upset, and Plum had a really good game.
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Looked up Kelsey and Jackie, and their freshman seasons were good, but not spectacular.
 
These stats are great but a bit incomplete as Turnovers should be shown as should FGA and shooting percentages to gain insight into efficiency. Clark takes significantly more shots than Paige and has significantly more turnover than Paige (and is still have one of the top FRESHMAN years of ALL-TIME). I would be curious to these other players Turnovers and shooting percentages as I doubt they are as efficient.
 
CajunHusky said:
www.espn.com

Iowa Hawkeyes freshman Caitlin Clark breaking through as a top scorer

The first-year guard is moving up the leaderboard for Division I scorers while filling big shoes for the Hawkeyes.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Last night Caitlin Clark went 39 points 10 rebounds and 7 assists.
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She definitely had her best game but at least some part wasNeb's non aggressive / sagging defense. The let her see the court and take uncontested 3 pointers although to be fair, some were from 30' I liked the way Indiana got up into her, forced her to drive and then selectively double by directing her into the middle. Of course, IN had some really good athletic and tough guards.

She also has a very fiery temperament (calls, teammate miscues etc) that can get her sped up into TO's or taking harder and harder shots . Yesterday, she was really confident and mostly under control
 
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DefenseBB said:
These stats are great but a bit incomplete as Turnovers should be shown as should FGA and shooting percentages to gain insight into efficiency. Clark takes significantly more shots than Paige and has significantly more turnover than Paige (and is still have one of the top FRESHMAN years of ALL-TIME). I would be curious to these other players Turnovers and shooting percentages as I doubt they are as efficient.
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don't forget Clark hasn't had a sprained ankle, wear her hair in a braid or have blonde hair, and she is an inch taller than Paige.

Geez, why do people always come up with "qualifiers"... Clark is having a great season, a season for the ages and is giving Paige real competition for Freshman of the year.

And why is Clark not on the list for NPOY?
 
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Iowa is a losing team. I dont think CC can compete and her efficiency is also not as gd as PB. The only competitor should be Hailey but she is struggle so far.
 
I agree that you just can't decide on stats alone. Remember that this year will probably be Paige's gaudiest stats. The stats will go down hill from here and will have nothing to do with her play or abilities. The team around her will get better and better with each passing year so her stat burden and minutes will reduce. It won't change her ability or value to the team or worthiness of the national awards. Please keep that in mind for those who want to make decisions purely on stats.
 
I know we get fixated on points, but we should be more fixated on winning. If Paige stays at the level she is contributing for a Final Four, or Championship team, there will be no shortage of hardware heading her way.
She will have no room ,as her house is filled with her awards already ,plus 60-70 pairs of sneakers.
 
CajunHusky said:
don't forget Clark hasn't had a sprained ankle, wear her hair in a braid or have blonde hair, and she is an inch taller than Paige.

Geez, why do people always come up with "qualifiers"... Clark is having a great season, a season for the ages and is giving Paige real competition for Freshman of the year.

And why is Clark not on the list for NPOY?
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Clark's team isn't ranked or nationally relevant, both of which are essential to be in POY talks. FOY she's more of a candidate for, but I don't see any voters picking her over Paige, especially with Paige's recent string of games and heroics vs. SC.
 
bballnut90 said:
Clark's team isn't ranked or nationally relevant, both of which are essential to be in POY talks. FOY she's more of a candidate for, but I don't see any voters picking her over Paige, especially with Paige's recent string of games and heroics vs. SC.
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Candidate Criteria

  • Candidates must be full-time students in an accredited NCAA college or university.
  • Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and aspirations. All candidates must have a cumulative 2.00 grade point average since enrolling in their current university.
  • Candidates must exhibit strength of character, both on and off the court.
  • Candidates should be those who contribute to team effort.
  • Candidates must excel in both offense and defense.
  • Candidates should be considered on their performance over the course of the entire season (pre-conference, conference and tournament play).
 
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