Just Saying….I had Stewie way back at 1

[gold2323]

Yes or No ????? Top 5 All time NCAA women basketball players

 

[meyers7]

What are they ranking? College, Pro, International, combined?

 

[gold2323]

What are they ranking? College, Pro, International, combined?

Top all time WBB

 

[maple]

If it’s just in NCAAW then Stewart should be #1 or at the very least top 3.

 

[DefenseBB]

Usually the criteria is, you know, actually winning an NCAAT title and/or more than one which the updated list has done. For all of Clark's greatness (and she was and is great), she never won a title. As many have discussed, Paige needs a title to cement her greatness, though in many of our eyes, she already has (I have her top 5 all-time for UConn but a title this year would move her up to #4 on my Mt Rushmore Mountain....). Just sayin....

 

[meyers7]

Top all time WBB

So, NCAA players on their whole (college, pro, international) careers? Or just NCAA career?

OR, Women's Basketball, which would include pro's from other countries who never played NCAA?

 

[gold2323]

NCAA GOAT ranking according to ESPN and Stewart is Number 1 ….

 

[Stagnant]

For me:

Caitlin Clark number one for college. The best UConn player ever? Maya Moore.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Hard to argue with 4 NCAA championships, 3 I think MVPs etc etc etc. Of course there are those who will.

 

[ctfjr]

last, newest thing recent player.

 

[Kaizen]

My top 5,
1. Maya Moore
2. Breanna Stewart
3. Diana Taurasi
4. Candace Parker
5. Sue Bird

ESPN Top 20,

Ranking the top 25 women's basketball players of the 21st century

Here are the best since 2000, including Olympians Brittney Griner, Lauren Jackson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas and A'ja Wilson.

www.espn.com

 

[fomalhaut]

I think Stewart is the top NCAA player ever, and could eventually be the top overall, but it's hard to see how the top all-time WNBA scorer (with three NCAA titles, three WNBA titles, and six Olympic gold medals) isn't number 1 right now.

 

[SCNCHuskie]

I think Stewart is the top NCAA player ever, and could eventually be the top overall, but it's hard to see how the top all-time WNBA scorer (with three NCAA titles, three WNBA titles, and six Olympic gold medals) isn't number 1 right now.

All those accolades are great. But that is not what sets her apart from everybody else. This does: “Between the NCAA Tournament, WNBA Playoffs, and the Olympics, DT’s played in 46 elimination games over the course of her basketball career; she hasn’t gone home 42 of those times. In total, Taurasi holds an overall record of 42-4, good enough for a staggering 91% win record.” (WNBA.com)

 

[Cuango]

I think this”greatest player” thing is very subjective. Clearly, if you look at titles, then Stewie is #1, with Taurasi & Holdsclaw #2, & Maya and Candace probably tied at #3. However, if you look at indomitable, dogged winners, I would probably choose Dee. If you look at players who just played the game so beautifully that you were just mesmerized watching her, I would choose Paige & Maya. If you looked only at the ”clutch” gene, I would choose Dee & Paige. Scoring? Caitlin! Physical ability? Maya & Cheryl Miller! Leadership? Sue & Dee! You can go on and on with categories and of course, everyone is going to have different opinions on everything and then you also have the generational thing. It’s not like all the great players were limited to my (or anyone’s) lifespan!

 

[Cuango]

All those accolades are great. But that is not what sets her apart from everybody else. This does: “Between the NCAA Tournament, WNBA Playoffs, and the Olympics, DT’s played in 46 elimination games over the course of her basketball career; she hasn’t gone home 42 of those times. In total, Taurasi holds an overall record of 42-4, good enough for a staggering 91% win record.” (WNBA.com)

Wow! That’s impressive!

 

[Skeets]

If it’s just in NCAAW then Stewart should be #1 or at the very least top 3.

I agree. If we're talking about just college, it's hard to argue that 4 NCs is not #1. If we're talking about lifetime achievement, how could it not be DT? Someone's going to surpass 6 Olympic gold medals and everything else she has accomplished. I think not.

 

[Skeets]

I think this”greatest player” thing is very subjective. Clearly, if you look at titles, then Stewie is #1, with Taurasi & Holdsclaw #2, & Maya and Candace probably tied at #3. However, if you look at indomitable, dogged winners, I would probably choose Dee. If you look at players who just played the game so beautifully that you were just mesmerized watching her, I would choose Paige & Maya. If you looked only at the ”clutch” gene, I would choose Dee & Paige. Scoring? Caitlin! Physical ability? Maya & Cheryl Miller! Leadership? Sue & Dee! You can go on and on with categories and of course, everyone is going to have different opinions on everything and then you also have the generational thing. It’s not like all the great players were limited to my (or anyone’s) lifespan!

Your post makes so much sense it's shocking

 

[Scoe]

Yes championships do matter, it matters when determining goat, Taurasi was in the same position Clark was in her jr and sr year and got it done. Yes Clark scored more but also shot it more and turned it over more. Doesn't discount Clark's greatness but if D turned it over as much she doesn't win it all in 2003 and 2004.

 

[The deacon]

I think this”greatest player” thing is very subjective. Clearly, if you look at titles, then Stewie is #1, with Taurasi & Holdsclaw #2, & Maya and Candace probably tied at #3. However, if you look at indomitable, dogged winners, I would probably choose Dee. If you look at players who just played the game so beautifully that you were just mesmerized watching her, I would choose Paige & Maya. If you looked only at the ”clutch” gene, I would choose Dee & Paige. Scoring? Caitlin! Physical ability? Maya & Cheryl Miller! Leadership? Sue & Dee! You can go on and on with categories and of course, everyone is going to have different opinions on everything and then you also have the generational thing. It’s not like all the great players were limited to my (or anyone’s) lifespan!

Excellent perspective, Cuango, but I'll ask the question that should baffle everyone: if DT is the most 'indomitable, dogged winner,' why does she have just three WNBA titles in two decades. I've seen her play less than her best a number of times over the years as Phoenix would suffer elimination.

 

[The deacon]

I agree. If we're talking about just college, it's hard to argue that 4 NCs is not #1. If we're talking about lifetime achievement, how could it not be DT? Someone's going to surpass 6 Olympic gold medals and everything else she has accomplished. I think not.

That DT was on the last two Olympics teams were gifts to her resume. She clearly wasn't deserving as one of the best players.

 

[The deacon]

Yes championships do matter, it matters when determining goat, Taurasi was in the same position Clark was in her jr and sr year and got it done. Yes Clark scored more but also shot it more and turned it over more. Doesn't discount Clark's greatness but if D turned it over as much she doesn't win it all in 2003 and 2004.

Caitlin also had many more rebounds and assists than DT in their respective NCAA Final Four games. It might be that, in spite of all the BY posts to the contrary, DT had better supporting casts, and also played lesser opponents.

 

[Stagnant]

I don’t think DT can drag those Iowa teams to national championship appearances.

 

[Scoe]

Caitlin also had many more rebounds and assists than DT in their respective NCAA Final Four games. It might be that, in spite of all the BY posts to the contrary, DT had better supporting casts, and also played lesser opponents.

And more turnovers and more points scored on her. 2003 and 2004 UConn team weren't juggernaut teams. We're talking 3 championships here not 1 ok I'll be nice and leave out 2002 since it was a juggernaut team, Taurasi won back to back as the focal point.

LSU and South Carolina weren't juggernaut teams, South Carolina was closer to one but LSU was similar to Tennessee. Teams could also afford to be more physical on Taurasi. Clark got sent to the line more, as time evolves stats do increase.

 

[Scoe]

Clark is a great player but she shot the ball more and was a ft mercenary, oh yeah and no championships that does matter for goat status.