Caitlin Clark scores 38 in Iowa’s win against Nebraska in her pursuit of the Division I women’s scoring record.
Caitlin Clark has the opportunity to break Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record in women’s basketball, with the potential to achieve this milestone in February.
Caitlin Clark is on track to break the NCAA Division I women’s scoring record in February, boasting a career-high scoring rate. The 6-foot Iowa point guard currently holds the fourth spot on the all-time list with 3,389 points. Kelsey Plum, a two-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces, set the record at 3,527 points at Washington from 2013-17. Clark, maintaining an average of nearly 32 points per game in her senior year, trails Plum’s mark by 139 points and is just five points away from surpassing Jackie Stiles for third place.
In the men’s category, LSU legend Pete Maravich holds the record with 3,667 points, a mark that Clark is also closing in on this year. As the reigning Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year, she remains the leading candidate for these awards in 2024. Currently, Iowa holds the fifth position in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and aims to return to the national title game after losing to LSU last spring.
Yahoo Sports is diligently monitoring Clark’s pursuit of the all-time scoring record after each Iowa game. She has the option of an additional year of eligibility if she decides to stay for a fifth year. Alternatively, if she chooses to enter the 2024 WNBA Draft in April, she is expected to be the No. 1 pick, heading to the Indiana Fever.
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Women’s Division I All-Time Scoring List:
- Kelsey Plum (Washington, 2017) — 3,527
- Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State, 2018) — 3,402
- Jackie Stiles (Missouri State, 2001) — 3,393
- Caitlin Clark (Iowa) — 3,389
- Brittney Griner (Baylor, 2013) — 3,283
- Patricia Hoskins (Mississippi Valley State, 1989) — 3,122
- Lorri Bauman (Drake, 1984) — 3,115
- Jerica Coley (FIU, 2014) — 3,107
- Rachel Banham (Minnesota, 2016) — 3,093
- Ashley Joens (Iowa State, 2023) — 3,060*
- Elena Delle Donne (Delaware, 2013) — 3,039
*Joens utilized an extra year of eligibility following COVID-19 guidelines and played five seasons.
Recent Scoring Displays by Caitlin Clark
On January 27, in a decisive victory against Nebraska, Caitlin Clark scored 38 points, bringing her career total to 3,389 points. Remarkably, just a day after her autographed NIL trading card fetched $78,000, Clark fell just five points short of securing the third position on the all-time scoring list.
During the first half, she showcased her prowess with a perfectly timed 3-pointer, contributing to an impressive performance.
The momentum flowed seamlessly into the third quarter, and Caitlin Clark’s shooting appeared unstoppable. She made 12 of 22 field goals, 8 of 15 from beyond the arc, and successfully converted 6 of 7 free throws. In addition to her scoring prowess, she contributed with 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
On January 21, in a match against Ohio State that saw a sold-out crowd of over 18,000 in Columbus, Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes exhibited a strong start. However, they unexpectedly ran out of steam late in the game, faltering in overtime and experiencing their first in-conference loss of the season. Even Clark, typically precise in her shots, faced challenges towards the end as Ohio State’s defense tightened its grip on Iowa.
Nevertheless, Iowa’s standout performer, Clark, showcased her brilliance with a season-high 45 points.
Caitlin Clark, despite facing potential injury concerns after an encounter with an Ohio State fan, continued her stellar performances:
On January 16, in a match against Wisconsin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Clark and the Hawkeyes overcame a slow start, and she dropped an impressive 32 points. This victory marked the 47th occasion in her career where she scored 30 or more points and extended Iowa’s winning streak over Wisconsin to 29 games.
Clark played a crucial role in the first half, contributing 19 of her 32 points. She also played a significant role in a decisive 15-2 run during the second quarter, propelling Iowa to a substantial lead and securing the victory. Her shooting performance included an 8-of-18 field goal rate and a 6-of-14 record from behind the arc.
Moreover, during this game, Clark surpassed Brittney Griner to claim the No. 4 spot on the all-time scoring list, achieving this milestone early in the match at the free-throw line.
Caitlin Clark, the standout point guard for Iowa, continues to deliver remarkable scoring performances:
- On January 27, she reached 3,389 career points and trails Jackie Stiles by 87 points for the third spot on the all-time scoring list.
- Iowa is set to face No. 18 Ohio State next.
- On January 13, in a match against Indiana, Clark scored 30 points, including 11 assists, five rebounds, and a notable 6-of-16 from beyond the arc.
- On January 10, facing Purdue, she secured her 15th career triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
- On January 5, against Rutgers, Clark secured her 14th career triple-double with 29 points and 10 assists.
- On January 2, in a game against Michigan State, she hit a buzzer-beating logo 3-pointer, securing 40 points on the night.
- On December 30, facing Minnesota, her 35 points moved her into fifth place on the all-time scoring list.
- Throughout December, she showcased consistent high-scoring performances, including a career-high 38 points against Cleveland State on December 16.
Clark’s impressive journey includes surpassing several basketball legends on the scoring list and achieving milestones such as becoming the first Division I player with at least 3,000 points, 900 assists, and 800 rebounds in her career.
As she approaches the all-time scoring record, the timeline for potentially breaking the mark depends on her current scoring average, with a projected date of February 15 at home against Michigan. However, her exceptional performances hint that she could achieve this milestone even sooner.
The regular-season schedule for Iowa extends until March 6-10, including the Big Ten Tournament. Additionally, the possibility of breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record adds anticipation to the upcoming games.
Caitlin Clark has the potential to set various NCAA Division I career records in addition to the all-time scoring mark:
- Career Scoring Average: Clark currently has a career average of 27.7 points per game (ppg), approaching Patricia Hoskins’ record of 28.4 ppg from 1986-89.
- Single-Season Scoring Average: Her current season average of 31.5 ppg places her in the top five, nearing Hoskins’ record mark of 33.6 ppg set in 1989.
- Points in a Season: Kelsey Plum holds the record with 1,109 points in a season, and Clark, with around 30 ppg, could reach this mark by the end of the regular season.
- Career 3-Pointers: Clark is closing in on the career 3-point record held by Kelsey Mitchell (497), having made 423 3-pointers at a 38.1% accuracy.
- Single-Season 3-Pointers: Taylor Pierce’s record of 154 in a season is within reach for Clark, who had 140 3-pointers in her junior year.
- Career Assists: While slightly fewer this season, Clark is on track to break into the top 10 all-time in career assists, currently trailing La’Terrica Dobin with 909.
Caitlin Clark’s remarkable numbers:
- She has scored over 20 points in every game this season.
- Only once has she scored in single digits (8 points vs. Northwestern).
- In 121 career games, she has scored fewer than 20 points only 15 times.
- She achieved eight games with at least 35 points and 10 assists.
- Notably, she has 15 triple-doubles, second to Sabrina Ionescu.
- Clark boasts 11 performances with 40 or more points.
- She has an impressive 49 games with at least 30 points, setting a D-I men’s and women’s record.
- Clark has received 25 Big Ten Player of the Week honors, surpassing the previous record of 23.
- Approximately 40% of her points come from beyond the arc.
These statistics showcase the historic impact Caitlin Clark is making on the court.