December 22, 2022
Behind the numbers of Caitlin Clark’s 2000-point milestone
By Kiri Oler
Only Elena Delle Donne is a point of comparison
Facing off against Dartmouth on Wednesday, Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark eclipsed 2000 points scored for her career in a game where she posted a double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 26 minutes on the floor.
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Clark reached 2000 points scored in just her 75th career game, an average of 26.7 points-per-game, which ties her with Elena Delle Donne as the fastest to do so in women’s NCAA Division I play, and puts the junior on pace to rank among the top college scorers of all time. During Clark’s sophomore year, she started the season by becoming the second player to score 1000 points in 40 or fewer games, a feat only accomplished in a shorter span by Delle Donne, who logged 1000 points in 38 games.
Clark’s spot in the Iowa basketball record books is already secure as she adds to her totals. Per Iowa’s post-game notes, Clark is the first Iowa women’s basketball player to eclipse more than 2,000 points, 550 assists, 520 rebounds, 110 steals, and 40 blocks in a career, and just the fourth Hawkeye to tally 2,000 points, earning her a position of prominence among a notable alumni group that includes: Tangela Smith, Simone Edwards, Michelle Edwards, and 2019 AP/Naismith Player of the Year, Megan Gustafson.
While the numbers cast Clark as an elite scorer, she contributes all over the court. This season, Clark is the only player in the nation with more than 340 points, 90 rebounds, 85 assists, and 25 steals. She ranks 4th overall in assists with 86 (6th in APG), and 3rd overall in points per game at 27.6, and currently boasts a streak of 32 games with a made 3-pointer. Moreover, she’s knocked down a three in 73 of her 75 career games for a total of 242. Fittingly, a jumper from beyond the arc propelled Clark to the 2000-point club.
Following her historic accomplishment, Clark signed a pair of shoes for a young fan in the crowd before leaving the floor. When asked about it during the post-game press conference Clark said, “I hope she enjoys them and keeps them, and I hope it reminds her that she can always dream to be one of us.”
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Written by Kiri Oler
Kiri Oler has been a contributor to The Next as a news and feature writer since December 2022.