Caitlin Clark surpassed every man and woman who ever played major college basketball.
The 22-year-old Iowa State superstar made a free throw just before halftime in a raucous Carver-Hawkeye Arena game against Ohio State on Sunday, breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA basketball scoring record and surpassing the 54-year-old. He made history again by defeating Maravich. mark.
Clark entered the game needing 18 points to break “Pistol Pete’s” NCAA record of 3,667 points.
Comparing the careers of Clark and Maravich is controversial, with Maravich reaching his total in three seasons compared to Clark’s four, and Maravich’s career at LSU from 1967 to 1970. There was no shot clock or 3-point line.
But until Sunday, Maravich’s eldest son Jason had nothing but praise for Clark, even saying her “lanky build and dark eyes” reminded him of his father.
“What Kaitlyn accomplished was amazing. She’s a great player and a great addition to the women’s game and basketball in general,” Jason Maravich said. told the Associated Press.
In hopes of breaking Clark’s record, ESPN previously reported that the average ticket price for Sunday’s game was higher than any previous women’s college or WNBA game.
Admission for Vivid Seats hours before the game started was $287.
Signs held by young girls throughout the enthusiastic crowd expressed support and inspiration for Clark, whose stardom took women’s college basketball to a new level of popularity.
It’s been a historic few weeks for Clark, who broke Kelsey Plumb’s NCAA women’s points record for the first time on Feb. 15.
She then broke Lynette Woodward’s women’s major college career scoring record of 3,649 points on February 28. Woodward played in the AIAW, but her record was not recognized by the NCAA.
On Thursday, Clark announced that he would forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility and declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
The Indiana Fever holds the No. 1 pick in the April 15 draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
What made the day even more special for Clark was that he was surprised by his idol Maya Moore during his pregame interview with ESPN.
Moore approached Clark midway through the interview, and Clark panicked before the two embraced.
“I feel like I fangirl really hard,” Clark said, running a hand over her face.
The only gap left on Clark’s resume is a national championship berth, as Iowa lost to LSU in last year’s national championship game.
Iowa State lost in the Sweet 16 when Clark was a freshman and in the second round as a sophomore.
