Caitlin Clark was the star of the show in the Storm’s 110-107 loss to the Fever. She became the first player with at least 40 points and 10 assists in a game. The outcome is incredibly disappointing for the Storm, but there’s still plenty to be proud of for the young team. They battled back from a 17-point deficit and gave the Fever everything they could handle.
Malonga led the way with 28 points and 14 rebounds, but Awa Fam contributed heavily to the Storm’s third-quarter surge and comeback. She scored eleven points and delivered the assist on three other baskets.
The way she got those points was especially impressive. Fam hit four consecutive 3-pointers, reminding everyone why the Storm’s young frontcourt duo will be so dangerous for years to come. Her 3-point shot is nothing new, but her outing against the Fever was a good reminder of how well she can shoot.
Awa Fam’s 3-point shot will be key to the Storm’s success
Fam is a 6’4” 20-year-old center. She is also shooting 37.2% on 4.1 attempts per game from three for the season. Her height, youth, and outside shot make for an incredibly unique combination. It also paints a very vivid picture of how she and Malonga can work together for years to come and become one of the best frontcourt duos in the W.
Malonga is even taller than Fam, and while she’s shooting a decent percentage from three, she’s not nearly as efficient as her teammate. If Fam can be a 37-40% 3-point shooter consistently and create space for Malonga to use her length in the paint when they share the floor, the two will give opposing defenses headaches for years to come.
With Fam knocking down 3-pointers at a high level and Malonga’s shot coming along as well, the Storm can avoid an issue that tends to plague most teams with two stars in the frontcourt: spacing issues and trying to balance their touches on the inside. Not having that spacing is the reason the Sky’s duo of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso never worked out and why Karl Smesko had to bench Brittney Griner for Naz Hillmon last season.
Fam can space the floor when she is on the court with Malonga and dominate on the inside when the latter is on the bench. Maybe, soon enough, Malonga can do the same. She’s already shooting 33% from three and has plenty of time to work on her outside shot. The duo’s ability to knock down 3-pointers will be all the more important if Ezi Magbegor remains a part of the Storm’s long-term plans.
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