As the Iowa guard gets closer to breaking Kelsey Plum’s NCAA scoring record, Plum gives Caitlin Clark some wise counsel

Before Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, fans were captivated by Kelsey Plum’s pursuit of the all-time NCAA women’s basketball career scoring record during her time at the University of Washington. Now, years later, Clark stands on the brink of surpassing Plum’s historic mark of 3,527 points. While Plum, now a star player for the Las Vegas Aces, is pleased to see Clark raising the bar, she consistently emphasizes that achieving such a milestone might not be all positive.

Plum established the record on February 25, 2017, with a remarkable performance, scoring 57 points in the Huskies’ 84-77 home victory over Utah. This outstanding display catapulted her past the career tally of 3,393 points set by Missouri State guard Jackie Stiles in 2001. However, Plum recalls that this achievement occurred during a challenging period in her life, characterized by stress and pressure.

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Speaking at a USA Basketball women’s team camp at Barclays Center in New York, Plum shared her thoughts on Clark’s imminent accolade. Expressing gratitude for passing the metaphorical baton, Plum conveyed her happiness for Clark while emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and supporting the athlete beyond her on-court performances. Plum acknowledged that her record-setting moment was a “low point” in her life, marked by significant pressure, a sentiment she has previously expressed.

In essence, Plum is excited for Clark’s accomplishment but wants to highlight the human side of the achievement, encouraging support and recognition for the athlete beyond the basketball court.

In a December interview with the Associated Press, Kelsey Plum reflected on the peak of her college basketball career, detailing the challenges she faced and the subsequent difficulties transitioning to the WNBA. Plum candidly expressed the internal struggle of losing a part of her identity, attributing it to the heightened expectations that accompanied her exceptional offensive abilities at the University of Washington. She conveyed empathy towards Caitlin Clark, poised to surpass Plum’s historic NCAA career scoring record, urging compassion and support from those around her.

The crux of Plum’s challenges lay in the shift of focus from the essence of the game to individual point achievements. Plum observed a diminishing emphasis on the overall game and a disproportionate fixation on accumulating individual points. She highlighted the paradox where an outstanding performance of 15 or 20 points might be dismissed as merely a modest achievement, overshadowing the holistic excellence of a player’s contribution.

Despite the initial struggles, Plum acknowledged the eventual positive trajectory of her career. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, Plum has since demonstrated consistent growth. Over the past two seasons, she secured two WNBA titles with the Aces, earned two All-Star appearances, claimed the All-Star MVP in 2022, and achieved U.S. Olympic gold in 3×3 basketball in 2020.

Plum, cognizant of the challenges she faced, stressed the importance of offering Caitlin Clark the consideration and understanding she might not have received during her own record-setting journey. She emphasized that Clark, beyond being a basketball player, is a young woman with emotions and complexities that deserve acknowledgment.

Caitlin Clark, no stranger to record-breaking performances, showcased her prowess during last year’s NCAA tournament, setting multiple records, including the highest points scored in March Madness. In November, she surpassed Plum’s record for the most 30-point games in D1 women’s college basketball.

Amidst the fanfare surrounding her achievements, Clark, at the age of 22, faces notable attention, including a designated camera for a TikTok livestream during her game against Maryland. With her current pace, she is expected to break the scoring record when the Hawkeyes host Michigan on Feb. 15. The attention and expectations placed on Clark’s shoulders present unique challenges for the young athlete as she navigates the intersection of sports excellence and the scrutiny of public attention.

• Reflection on College Career: In a December interview with the Associated Press, Kelsey Plum reflected on the pinnacle of her college basketball career, shedding light on the challenges she faced and the subsequent difficulties in transitioning to the WNBA.
• Identity Struggle: Plum candidly expressed the internal struggle of losing a part of her identity, attributing it to the heightened expectations that accompanied her exceptional offensive abilities at the University of Washington.
• Empathy for Caitlin Clark: Expressing empathy towards Caitlin Clark, who is poised to surpass Plum’s historic NCAA career scoring record, Plum urged compassion and support from those around Clark, recognizing the potential challenges she may face.
• Shift in Focus: Plum highlighted the core challenge of her college career, emphasizing the shift in focus from the essence of the game to individual point achievements. She observed a diminishing emphasis on the overall game and a disproportionate fixation on accumulating individual points.
• Paradox of Achievement: Plum pointed out the paradox where an outstanding performance of 15 or 20 points might be dismissed as merely a modest achievement, overshadowing the holistic excellence of a player’s contribution.
• Positive Trajectory: Despite the initial struggles, Plum acknowledged the eventual positive trajectory of her career. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, she demonstrated consistent growth, securing two WNBA titles with the Aces, earning All-Star appearances, claiming the All-Star MVP in 2022, and achieving U.S. Olympic gold in 3×3 basketball in 2020.
• Support for Caitlin Clark: Plum, cognizant of the challenges she faced, stressed the importance of offering Caitlin Clark the consideration and understanding she might not have received during her own record-setting journey.
• Humanizing the Athlete: Emphasizing that Clark, beyond being a basketball player, is a young woman with emotions and complexities, Plum urged media and fans to acknowledge and appreciate the human side of the athlete.
• Clark’s Record-Breaking Prowess: Caitlin Clark, no stranger to record-breaking performances, showcased her prowess during last year’s NCAA tournament, setting multiple records, including the highest points scored in March Madness.
• Surpassing Plum’s Record: In November, Clark surpassed Plum’s record for the most 30-point games in D1 women’s college basketball, adding to her already impressive list of accomplishments.
• Media Attention and Livestream: Amidst the fanfare surrounding her achievements, Clark, at the age of 22, faces notable attention, including a designated camera for a TikTok livestream during her game against Maryland.
• Upcoming Milestone: With her current pace, Clark is expected to break the scoring record when the Hawkeyes host Michigan on Feb. 15, adding anticipation and significance to her already remarkable journey.