Caitlin Clark has surpassed them all, every man and woman to ever play major college basketball.
The 22-year-old Iowa superstar broke Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA basketball points record on Sunday at a raucous Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Ohio State with a free throw right before halftime, making history once again by toppling the 54-year-old mark.
Clark entered the game needing 18 points to break “Pistol Pete’s” NCAA record of 3,667 points.
There has been some debate about comparing Clark’s and Maravich’s careers, as Maravich reached his total in three seasons compared to Clark’s four, and there wasn’t a shot clock or 3-point line when Maravich played for LSU from 1967-70.
But Maravich’s oldest son Jaeson had nothing but praise for Clark leading up to Sunday, even offering that her “lanky build and dark eyes” reminds him of his dad.
“What Caitlin’s done has been amazing. She’s fantastic player, great for the women’s game and basketball in general,” Jaeson Maravich told the Associated Press.
In anticipation of Clark breaking the record, the average ticket price for Sunday’s game was more expensive than any women’s college or WNBA game ever, ESPN previously reported.
The get-in price on Vivid Seats a few hours before the game was $287.
Signs held by young girls throughout the electric crowd expressed support for and inspiration by Clark, whose stardom has taken women’s college basketball to a new level of popularity.
It has been a historic several weeks for Clark, who first broke Kelsey Plum’s NCAA women’s points record on Feb. 15.
She then broke Lynette Woodward’s all-time women’s major college scoring record of 3,649 points on Feb. 28; Woodward played in the AIAW and her record was not recognized by the NCAA.
On Thursday, Clark announced she’s declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft, forgoing her final year of NCAA eligibility.
The Indiana Fever hold the No. 1 pick in the draft, which takes place on April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Making the day more special for Clark was being surprised by her idol, Maya Moore, during an ESPN interview before the game.
Moore approached Clark mid-interview, causing Clark to freak out before the two hugged.
“I feel like I’m fangirling so hard,” Clark said as she put her hands over her face.
The only void left on Clark’s résumé is a national championship after Iowa fell to LSU in last year’s national championship game.
Iowa was knocked out in the Sweet 16 during Clark’s freshman year and the second round during her sophomore year.