22-Year-Old French Prodigy Outclasses A’ja Wilson & Angel Reese While Merely Matching Caitlin Clark in Euroleague

As the WNBA enjoys its offseason, basketball fans shift their focus to two major arenas: the NCAA competition and the Euro League. Amid the buzz surrounding standout players like Paige Bueckers in the NCAA or Natasha Howard dominating overseas, whispers of a young French prodigy have grown louder. An athlete with a performance that rivals established stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Angel Reese—stat for the stat.

According to an X post by Alford Corriette, an international scout for the WNBA, Pauline Astier is posting jaw-dropping numbers: 7.0 assists per game and 3.8 steals per game in the EuroLeague, and 6.9 APG and 3.0 SPG in France’s BWL. At 5’11, Astier has the build and versatility of a guard, and her stats are nothing short of elite.

To put these numbers into perspective, Caitlin Clark, the NCAA phenom who topped the WNBA’s assist leaderboard last season, averaged 8.4 APG and 1.3 SPG. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson, known for her dominance, averaged 2.6 blocks per game and 1.8 steals per game, and Angel Reese, another celebrated player, posted a league-high 13.1 RPG and 1.3 SPG.

What makes Astier’s stats remarkable isn’t just the comparison—it’s the stage on which she’s performing. Competing in the EuroLeague, a premier international basketball circuit, the 22-year-old is matching or outpacing numbers from the sport’s biggest stars while playing against seasoned professionals.

Astier’s meteoric rise in the EuroLeague has made her a household name among scouts and analysts. Corriette described her performances as “crazy,” and for good reason. The EuroLeague is widely regarded as one of the most challenging platforms in women’s basketball, and Astier is thriving against high-caliber talent.

Pauline Astier: EuroLeague sensation poised to rival Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark

Astier, who plays for the French powerhouse Tango Bourges Basket, is posting remarkable numbers in Euro League competition: 13.3 points on 55.6% shooting inside the arc and 40.3% from beyond it. She leads the league in steals and ranks third in assists—a testament to her dual impact.

While Caitlin Clark dominates WNBA’s headlines, Astier’s numbers suggest she’s more than capable of competing on a similar level. Clark’s 8.4 APG is slightly higher than the French phenom’s 7.0 in the EuroLeague, but Astier’s defensive numbers are notably stronger, with her steals per game outpacing both Clark and Reese.

When it comes to defense, Astier has also shown flashes of brilliance akin to A’ja Wilson’s game. The reigning league MVP led the WNBA with her defensive prowess last season, but Astier’s ability to read plays and then affect offense by snagging steals in crucial moments is earning her recognition as one of the best guards in the game today.

Now that Astier has achieved almost everything in the EuroLeague by being named LFB’s Best Young Player in 2022 and earning Euro League’s Best Young Player in 2023, while winning multiple team titles, including the French League Championship, Euro Cup, and French Cup. The question now is whether she’ll make the leap to the WNBA and join the ranks of the game’s greats. With numbers like hers, it’s not a matter of if but when she’ll come to the WNBA.