Deep Ball: Three-Level Scorers and Deadeye Three-Point Shooters

Over the past couple days I outlined several types of players, such as those who get downhill and finish inside, and secondly, those with buttery mid-range jumpers. Now we've made it out to the arc. Nearly everyone today works on their three-point shot because it's become such an integral part of the game, however, it's not enough to be one dimensional. Here are six in-game scorers who have truly earned their place on the list. Let's get to it!     [player_tooltip player_id='405948' first='Cassie' last='Beste'], 5'6 CG - Lone Wolf Athletics Class of '24   Cassie can get it in a lot of different ways. She's a fantastic off-ball player who spaces well on drives, hands up, ready for the kick to knock down the jumper. But she's not a stationary catch-and-shoot type player; Beste moves incredibly well off the ball, running off of flares, curls, or simply relocating as the defense becomes jumbled throughout a possession. Moreover, she can make space off the dribble and stick pull-up jumpers off the pick and roll or in transition. Her range is considerably deep, and the lefty stroke is always a tough cover for the common right-handed defender. If the defense overplays she can take it to the cup with controlled finishes or stop on a dime and pull up in the mid-range. Cassie is cool as a cucumber, efficient, and gets her shots within the flow of the offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='450194' first='Bree' last='McDonald'], 5'7 G - Blueprint Basketball Class of '25   Bree is a bucket at all three levels. She's a player who likes the ball in her hands to make plays in transition or the halfcourt set. McDonald can create a look in an iso situation, making space with her deep bag of dribble moves, or she can break it down in a pick and roll setting. Bree has a solid sense of how the defense is playing her, therefore understanding when and where she'll have the room to hit the three-ball or slice into the second layer of the defense, or she'll rip a pass to a player sneaking to the rim as she consumes the defense's attention. A volume scorer who can get hot in an instant, Bree is an electrifying player with range.   [player_tooltip player_id='422814' first='Kelli' last='Cieplicki'], 5'9 W - Lone Wolf Athletics Class of '24   So smooth and never sped up, Kelli is a player who rarely forces the issue. Cieplicki can knock down threes in the open floor, when coming off screens for catch-and-shoot opportunities, or off the dribble if the situation presents itself. Kelli is an efficient three-level scorer who likes to get her looks in the flow of the offense. She consistently moves when off the ball, sneaking into pockets of space and leaving her defender looking left and right. Furthermore, if she's been rolling offensively, she's happy to fake the shot to make the defense overplay and take it to the rim, pull up from 12 feet, or make the extra pass. Kelli is a silent assassin who can surprise you with big numbers if you're not watching closely.   Hayden Wilkins, 5'7 G - Blueprint Basketball Class of '24   Wilkins is a natural hooper; when watching Hayden play it's clear that the game comes with ease. She has great lift on her jumper and is a premier playmaker, always keeping the defense guessing on whether or not she's going to rise up for a shot or make a savvy dime to a teammate. Hayden is capable playing with or without the ball, although she's more effective with the ball in her hands. Wilkins is a three-level scorer who's comfortable rising up for three in transition if she senses the momentum in their favor or she'll find a clean look in a halfcourt pick and roll. Nonetheless, she can get open looks off ball due to her wit coming off of screens. Hayden looks to get everyone involved but can just as easily fill it up from all over the place if that's what the doctor orders.   [player_tooltip player_id='407562' first='Elyse' last='Macdonough'], 5'7 G - Lone Wolf Athletics Class of '24   Vermont's Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year from the '21-'22 season has been torching all summer, maybe that's why it's been so hot here in the Northeast. Elyse is a savvy, ultra-competitive playmaker who can dissect a defense like a surgeon. Most comfortable as point guard, MacDonough is a three-level scorer who creates a lot of space with jab steps, in and outs, and crossovers. Elyse is capable of creating her own look in isolation, using her shiftiness to slip by and get into the second layer or she can lull a defender to sleep and rise up from deep. MacDonough is the total package on the offensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id='426304' first='Cora' last='Nadeau'], 5'9 W - Lone Wolf Athletics Class of '23   Gritty, long and competitive, Cora brings passion and energy to the court every time she steps onto it. Nadeau is a strong scoring wing who can fill it up in a few different ways. With smaller defenders Cora can play bully ball in the post or off the drive, using her strength to keep the defense at bay. On the perimeter, Nadeau has a number of different situations she likes; she has a strong low sweep through going either direction, and from there can pull-up in the mid-range or finish at the cup. Otherwise, Cora is solid at coming off of screens for three-pointers or spotting up and relocating on drives. Nadeau has a little bit of everything in her bag.

Over the past couple days I outlined several types of players, such as those who get downhill and finish inside, and secondly, those with buttery mid-range jumpers. Now we've made it out to the arc. Nearly everyone today works on their three-point shot because it's become such an integral part of the game, however, it's not enough to be one dimensional. Here are six in-game scorers who have truly earned their place on the list. Let's get to it!