
Caitlin Clark, the shining star of Iowa’s world of college basketball, concluded her illustrious career as the NCAA Division I all-time scoring titan, amassing a remarkable total of 3,951 career points. This monumental achievement holds significance beyond the boundaries of Iowa, placing Clark in sixth place on the grand stage of college basketball, in the all-division, all-time scoring list.
It was no ordinary game when Clark went head-to-head against South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament championship game. The court became her canvas as the Iowa powerhouse added 30 points to her scoring legacy. On March 3, she dismantled the records set by the late Pete Maravich of LSU who had 3,667 points, taking her place as the career Division I scoring leader among both men and women.
As an athlete who is constantly evolving, Clark has decided to forego her final season of eligibility for college basketball. Instead, she will bring her profound passion to the WNBA arena, entering the draft in April. The Indiana Fever is expected to select her as their number one choice.
Clark’s distinct deep range skills have rendered a profound influence on women’s basketball court and redefined the parameters of what’s achievable for burgeoning female athletes. She has inspired countless young women, kindling their aspiration to emulate her.
Reflecting on her most recent performance, Clark added 30 points to her arsenal in the NCAA Tournament championship game on April 7. Despite enduring a grueling match that ended in an 87-75 loss to South Carolina, Clark stood tall. She made 10 of her 28 attempts from the field and converted approximately 38% of her three-pointers. Beyond her scoring prowess, she also demonstrated her rebounding and facilitating potential, managing eight rebounds and five assists.
Let’s delve into a bit of history now. Before Clark upended the record, Lynette Woodard held an exalted position in major women’s college basketball, with a total of 3,649 points for Kansas from 1977-81. Clark also surpassed Kelsey Plum’s NCAA record earlier in the season. Now, the uncontested overall women’s record remains with Pearl Moore of Francis Marion who accumulated 4,061 points at the small-college level in AIAW.
Maravich had set his record without the help of the three-pointer, and in just three seasons between 1967-70. The underlying reason being that freshman students were then ineligible to play on varsity teams.
Fast forwarding to the present day, here is how the all-time, all-division top college scorers’ list shapes up: John Pierce of David Lipscomb holds the top spot with 4,230 points. Philip Hutcheson of the same school is at second with 4,106 points. Pearl Moore is third with 4,061 points, while Travis Grant of Kentucky State sits at fourth place with 4,045 points. Grace Beyer of Health Sciences and Pharmacy is at fifth spot with 3,961 points, followed by our very own Caitlin Clark, solidifying the sixth position. The list continues with Miriam Walker-Samuels, Deb Remmerde, Bob Hopkins, Archie Talley, Steve Platt, Pete Maravich, Antoine Davis, and Lynette Woodard in the subsequent ranks.
This all-new reshuffling of the all-time college scoring lists is a testament to Clark’s remarkable achievements and her contribution to the sport, taking women’s basketball to new heights.