‘Congratulations on the record, and really your entire season! I appreciate what you do for the game, much respect and love! See you at the next level, hopefully sooner than later,’ Plum said to Clark via social media on Sunday, although she was several days too early. ‘My bad next game,’ she corrected herself.
The Iowa guard went into Thursday’s matchup against Michigan just eight points shy of Plum’s record set at the University of Washington in 2017. Clark got the eight points in a little more than two minutes to pass Plum’s benchmark of 3,527 points to become NCAA women’s basketball’s top scorer.
‘She’s incredible, especially that exact shot she broke it. That pretty much sums it up,’ Plum said on Friday, while sitting court-side at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. ‘Pulling up from basically half court, but I love it. It’s so good for the game. It’s really cool to see someone just not be afraid of the moment.’
Clark is on pace to break Pete Maravich’s record of 3,667 points, set from 1967-70 when he played at LSU, toward the end of Iowa’s regular season.
A current LSU star also recognized the Iowa star after she broke the NCAA women’s record Thursday night.
‘Congratulations @CaitlinClark22 KEEP BREAKING RECORDS & MAKING HER-STORY!’ posted LSU forward Angel Reese, whose Tigers defeated Clark and the Hawkeyes in the NCAA national championship last season.
Plum and Reese are just two athletes who congratulated Clark on her achievement. Here’s how others reacted to the feat, which Clark appropriately accomplished on a signature logo 3-pointer:
Former President Barack Obama
‘Congrats to @CaitlinClark22, the greatest scorer in the history of women’s college basketball! It’s been fun watching you and the @IowaWBB team this season.’
7-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady
‘I just wanted to say congratulations on the record,’ Brady said in a tribute video shared by the Big Ten Network. ‘Like the rest of the country, I’ve been following along as you chased down my girl Kelsey (Plum), but I know she’s proud of you too. We love witnessing greatness here. Keep your head down, go finish the job and I’ll be watching.’
Former Hawkeyes teammate Monika Czinano
‘Congratulations Caitlin. I’m so proud of you. I know all the work you put in. It’s really paid off now. … I’m so thankful I got to be your teammate for a good amount of your career. ‘
WNBA champion Brittney Griner
‘I just wanted to congratulate you on becoming the all-time scorer. Keep going, keep pushing and good luck,’ said Griner, who is No. 5 on the NCAA women’s basketball all-time leading scoring list (3,283 points) following her collegiate career at Baylor.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard
‘Just wanted to take a moment to say congratulations on the record.… I’m a huge fan of your game. Much respect to you. I like the way you do it. Real killer.’
Purdue star Zach Edey
‘Congratulations, that’s big time… you deserve it.’
2-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning
‘Look, when I played, I hated settling for three points but you’ve actually turned me into a huge fan of the three. Not an easy task and I know you’ve inspired millions of other people along the way. Great job. Congratulations again. Proud of you.’
2-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning
‘It’s been so impressive to watch you perform throughout your career, although, if I’m being honest, your accuracy from long range has made a lot of other quarterbacks look pretty bad. Just letting you know that. … Can’t wait to see what’s next.’
USWNT star, Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan
‘Incredible @CaitlinClark22 take it all in!’
Tennis icon Billie Jean King
‘She’s made history! Cheers to @CaitlinClark22, the new NCAA Women’s Basketball All-Time Leading Scorer.’
ESPN’s Pat McAfee
‘In a known historic evening for Caitlin Clark… she just dropped 23 in the 1st quarter Just a stone… cold…. DAWWWG. No nerves… no tightness.. all the while the world and history is watching.. She’s on pace to score 92 points.’
Magic Johnson
‘Congratulations to @CaitlinClark22 for setting a new Women’s Division I Basketball scoring record with 3,528 points!!’
