Caitlin Clark, the Iowa basketball sensation, has shattered the NCAA Division I scoring record. Clark, who had been the all-time NCAA Division I scoring leader, broke the 54-year-old record previously held by the late Pete Maravich.
On Sunday, Caitlin Clark stood alone at the free-throw line and sank the foul shot that positioned her atop the all-time NCAA Division I scoring chart. Her game’s flash and pizzazz have earned her the title of the biggest name in college basketball. However, it was two technical fouls after which Clark made two free throws that pushed her past Pete Maravich’s 54-year-old record, securing a victory for Iowa 93-83 against Ohio State.
Clark made her entrance into Maravich’s territory at Iowa City, needing 18 points to pass the 3,667-point mark in just 83 games played, compared to LSU (1967-70) where Maravich played only 83 games and scored 3,685 points.
Just four days after securing 33 points against Minnesota, Clark broke Maravich’s mark at the line. Her long 3-pointer was her most familiar weapon, and it was fitting that she was fouled going to the line, given the brief seconds she took to surpass Maravich’s record.
There was no immediate reaction from Clark after the second shot, as if it hadn’t sunk in yet.
At halftime during a television interview, when asked if she was aware of the record when standing at the line, Clark responded: “Not really. I knew it when they announced it, and everyone was cheering, that’s when I knew.”
Then the celebration ensued, with Clark jumping around and pumping her fist in the air.
She got off to a slow start on Sunday. Her first shot was a 3-pointer that bounced off the rim. She missed a layup from the right wing before hitting a 3 from the left side for her first bucket.
After starting 7-of-2, she made three of her next four shots, three of them straight 3s, each deeper than the last.
Underwood was on hand at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to help Clark celebrate Senior Day. Also in attendance was basketball great Maya Moore, who was Clark’s favorite player, and baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.
“It’s a great time for women’s basketball,” Underwood said in a television interview. “Caitlin is leading the charge. When she was going away, I said, ‘Let’s get ready to break records.’ Also, to show them respect. That’s why my record is being respected. She’s gone now, she’s left the pit … I pushed her ahead with a stick and tore that roof, and I’m very happy for her.”
On Thursday, Clark announced she would enter the 2024 WNBA Draft, extending her eligibility for another year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted collegiate athletics. She is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, and WNBA ticket sales have already seen a boost.
Logitix, which researches ticket prices on resale platforms, reported an average selling price of $598 for Sunday’s game tickets purchased from February 1.
Kirin Nanjappa, who was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and now lives in Denver, said he paid more than $200 for his ticket.
“She’s truly once in a lifetime,” he said. “I’ve been watching Iowa basketball for 40 years, and I’ve never seen a male or female player like her. I’ll just say this much – I’ve paid more to see her than I did to see Michael Jordan at the end of his career. And I never thought I’d say that.”
Clark is assured of one or two more appearances in Iowa City’s arena. An NCAA tournament No. 2 seed is expected, meaning it will host the first two rounds. Pearl Moore of Francis Marion owns the women’s record from 1975-79 at the small-college level with 4,061 points. Moore had 177 points before enrolling at Anderson Junior College.
Clark trails Moore by 376 points, and whether she catches Big Ten and NCAA tournament heroics will depend on her performance in Iowa’s uniform in her remaining two to nine games. The fall of Maravich’s record is contextual.
Maravich’s career scoring mark is even more notable. No clock or 3-point line was used in his era. In 1986, the 3-point line was adopted thrice. He averaged 44.2 points per game. On Feb. 7, 1970, against Alabama, he scored more than 60 points in a game for the fourth time in his career.
Clark averages 28.3 points in her career. Her career-best output was 49 points against Michigan on Feb. 15, when she passed Kelsey Plum of Cal as the NCAA Division I women’s career scoring leader.
Clark has at least 30 points in 55 games, the most by any college basketball player in the past 25 years, male or female. She has six triple-doubles this season and 17 in her career.
“What Caitlin has done is amazing. She’s a phenomenal player, both for women’s basketball and basketball in general,” said Jason Maravich, the eldest son of Maravich, to the Associated Press last week.
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