Caitlin Clark Breaks Pete Maravich’s Scoring Record: A Look at the Iowa Star’s Next Steps
Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Iowa women’s basketball team, continues to make headlines with her record-breaking performances. Most recently, she broke Steph Curry’s single-season record for 3-pointers in a game against Penn State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. With this latest achievement, Clark now stands alone as the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history, surpassing Pete Maravich’s record.
Clark’s continuous assault on the record books has left fans and analysts in awe. Her coach, Lisa Bluder, admits that she has lost track of all the records Clark has broken. “She breaks a new record every single night so I’m losing track of them,” Bluder said with a smile.
In the game against Penn State, Clark had a slow start, missing her first 11 shots from long range. However, she finally connected with a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, lifting her arms in triumph and sticking out her tongue. She finished the game with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
What is even more impressive is how Clark’s teammates stepped up in the game against Penn State. Iowa had four other players in double figures, including Sydney Affolter, who scored a career-high 18 points. The Hawkeyes also made 15 3-pointers, with only two of them coming from Clark. This balanced offense and strong defensive performance held Penn State to just 62 points, a significant improvement from their previous meeting.
Clark’s continuous success on the court has garnered attention not only from fans but also from endorsement deals. She recently signed a multi-year contract with Panini, becoming the first female athlete to have an exclusive partnership with the sports and entertainment collectibles company.
Looking ahead, Clark has announced that this will be her final season of college basketball as she declares for the 2024 WNBA draft. She is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, which is owned by the Indiana Fever. While her focus remains on the current season and achieving her goals with Iowa, Clark’s decision to enter the draft has generated excitement among WNBA fans.
Despite all her individual achievements, Clark remains focused on team success. She acknowledges the importance of her teammates and their contributions to the game. “My teammates were tremendous,” Clark said after the game against Penn State. “I thought everyone stepped up. I’m just proud of them. They’re capable of doing it every night.”
As the Iowa women’s basketball team continues its journey in the Big Ten tournament and looks ahead to the NCAA tournament, all eyes will be on Caitlin Clark. Her impact on the game and her ability to captivate audiences with her record-breaking performances have solidified her place as one of the best college players ever. Whether she leaves Iowa with a national championship or not, her legacy is already cemented.