Strong Words
Women’s basketball is exploding into a new era, and what makes this moment so special isn’t just the attention — it’s the depth of credible greatness coming down the pipeline at the same time. We’re watching a generation of young stars take the game to a level that feels faster, more skilled, more physical, and more complete than ever before. The sport isn’t “catching up.” It’s breaking through.
Caitlin Clark is the international superstar who helped kick the doors open. Her range, pace, and command of a game have pulled casual fans into the product, and once people tune in, they don’t tune out. Paige Bueckers is the definition of complete: a smooth operator with elite scoring craft, high IQ, and the kind of all-around guard play that’s rare in any era. JuJu Watkins might be the most terrifying “three-level” bucket-getter we’ve seen on the women’s side — the pull-up, the footwork, the ability to get to the rim through contact, and then the defensive edge that turns great players into problem players. When people toss around “Michael Jordan of women’s hoops,” it’s a huge label — but the reason the comparison sticks is because JuJu can dominate games physically and mentally.
Azzi Fudd deserves her own spotlight. When she’s in rhythm, she isn’t just a shooter — she’s a scoring weapon with discipline. The idea that she could flirt with a 50-40-90 season isn’t hype, it’s the logical ceiling for someone with that kind of mechanics and shot selection. If you’re sitting at 49-51-100, you’re not just hot — you’re operating at an absurd level of efficiency, and her overall game is now undeniable even to the skeptics.
All of these players will be stars for the next decade. But if we’re talking about the possibility of the greatest of all time — the player who checks every box, in every phase, against every style — UConn sophomore Sarah Strong belongs at the front of the conversation. She’s dominant in ways that don’t always show up in highlight culture. Size, agility, athleticism, awareness, and intelligence — she impacts possessions before the ball even finds her. The cleanest comparison is Maya Moore, because you’re talking about a player who can do everything and never looks rushed. But the scary part is Sarah Strong doesn’t just “measure up” to that template — she may ultimately exceed it as her experience catches up to her tools.
The best player ever isn’t just the one who scores the most points. It’s the one who bends the game: defends, rebounds, runs offense, reads spacing, controls tempo, and makes everyone around her better. That’s the path Sarah Strong is on. There’s a lot left to watch, but if you’re asking where the ceiling lives in this golden generation, our money is on Sarah Strong.
