University of Iowa basketball guard Caitlin Clark has broken the NCAA all-time scoring record, which had previously been held for more than 50 years by Hall of Famer Pete Maravich. Clark is now the leading scorer in major college basketball history, men’s or women’s. Maravich set the men’s major college record in 83 games over three varsity seasons (averaging 44.2 points per game) at LSU from 1967–68 through 1969–70, a record that stood for 54 years.
The 22-year-old Clark broke the record in the second quarter of Sunday’s Senior Day matchup against No. 2 Ohio State as the sold-out crowd cheered her on at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Clark entered Sunday’s game needing 18 points to surpass Maravich, and she passed him by making a pair of free throws in the final second of the first half, hitting 18 points in the game.
Clarks’ latest accomplishment came during her 130th career game, and her fourth collegiate season. Clark entered the game leading the nation in scoring at 32.2 points per game. Clark also just broke Lynette Woodard’s career scoring record for major women’s college basketball last Wednesday, and broke the NCAA Division I women’s scoring record previously held by Kelsey Plum on Feb. 15. She also holds the Big Ten women’s basketball record and Iowa’s program record.
Clark announced her intention to declare for the 2024 WNBA draft; she is expected to be the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever on April 15.
Editorial credit: University of College / Shutterstock.com