Iowa’s Caitlin Clark Breaks Pete Maravich’s Division I Scoring Record
In a historic moment for women’s college basketball, Caitlin Clark of the University of Iowa has broken the Division I scoring record previously held by NBA legend Pete Maravich. On Sunday, during her last regular-season home game, Clark surpassed Maravich’s record of 3,667 points, scoring a total of 3,685 points in her college career.
Clark’s achievement is even more remarkable considering the caliber of players who have come before her. Reflecting on her record-breaking accomplishment, Clark humbly stated, “Honestly, if you would have told me that before my college career started, I would’ve laughed in your face and been like, ‘No, you’re insane.’ I’ve always been able to score the ball, but I don’t think people really understand how many amazing players have come before me and been able to score the ball and do it at such a high rate and for teams that are really, really good.”
The record-breaking moment came in a rather unexpected fashion. With just 0.3 seconds left in the first half of the game against Big Ten regular-season champion Ohio State, Clark stepped up to the free-throw line. She needed both free throws to reach 18 points and surpass Maravich’s record. With nerves of steel, she calmly sank both shots, giving Iowa a 48-39 lead at halftime.
It has been a season of milestones for Clark. She reached the 3,000-point mark on December 6th and became the first Division I women’s player to achieve both 3,000 points and 1,000 assists on February 11th. On February 15th, she broke the NCAA women’s scoring record with a 49-point performance. And on February 28th, she surpassed Kansas’ Lynette Woodard for the major-college women’s scoring record while also achieving her 17th career triple-double.
Clark’s incredible scoring ability is not limited to records alone. She has also set a Division I record for the most 3-pointers in a season, with 156. Additionally, her six triple-doubles with at least 30 points are the most in Division I history.
With her record-breaking season, Clark has solidified her position as the favorite for national player of the year and is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. She is on track to lead the nation in scoring for the third time and to lead in both scoring and assists for the second time, a feat never before accomplished in Division I history.
Despite her individual success, Clark remains focused on team objectives and the bigger goals ahead. The Hawkeyes have their sights set on winning the Big Ten tournament for the third consecutive year and making a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Clark’s leadership and exceptional play have been instrumental in Iowa’s success, and she has become a beloved figure among Hawkeyes fans.
As Clark’s college career comes to an end, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for her home state and the support she has received from fans. She hopes that her records will inspire future players to surpass her achievements and continue pushing the boundaries of the game.
In the midst of celebrating her accomplishments, Clark remains grounded and focused on the present. “The biggest thing is I’ve just had fun, and I’ve loved every single second I’ve been here,” she said. “There’s been ups and downs, but the biggest part of my maturity and growth has been [being] able to handle that and balance everything that’s going on around me.”
Caitlin Clark’s legacy as one of the greatest scorers in Division I basketball history is secure. Her impact on the game will be remembered for years to come, and her records will serve as a benchmark for future generations of players. As she continues her basketball journey, Clark’s passion, skill, and determination will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the sport she loves.