Kelsey Plum 'very happy' for Caitlin Clark with NCAA scoring record in sight

After her 35-point showing against Northwestern earlier this week, Caitlin Clark is now No. 2 on the NCAA’s all-time scoring list with 3,424 career points. The only player left to pass is Kelsey Plum, who scored 3,527 points as part of her storied career at Washington from 2013-17.

If Clark stays on her current pace, she could pass Plum in the next few weeks and become the top scorer in NCAA history. As she closes in on that record, Plum – now starring for the two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces – is keeping things in perspective.

“I’m actually very grateful to pass that baton,” Plum said, via ESPN’s Michael Voepel. “I’m very happy for her.”

When Plum set the record, Jackie Stiles held the top spot with 3,393 career points at Missouri State. She remembered the amount of pressure she felt as she closed in on the mark, getting caught up in achieving that feat while also trying to help Washington to a 29-6 record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance.

That’s why Plum had a message as the chatter around Clark’s achievement picks up.

“I remember, to be honest, [the record] was very much a low point in my life,” Plum said. “It felt like a lot of pressure, and my identity was kind of caught up in that record. I hope everyone in the media takes time to understand that [Clark] is not just a basketball player but a young woman that has feelings and emotions. She carries it with grace, but there’s a lot to handle there.

“If anything, make sure that we show her love outside of her performance. She’ll break it. I’m excited for her.”

Clark, however, is keeping her focus on the task at hand. In fact, when she passed both Stiles and Kelsey Mitchell against Northwestern, she didn’t even realize it in the moment. The moment wasn’t lost on her, though, as she said after the game.

“No, I did not. Honestly I didn’t even know at what point it occurred,” Clark said. “I think the coolest thing is just the names that I get to be around. Those are people that I grew up watching, especially Kelsey Plum, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Mitchell.”

Caitlin Clark is in the midst of a career year for Iowa after winning National Player of the Year a season ago. She’s averaging 32.1 points, which leads Division I, to go with 7.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists to help the Hawkeyes to a 20-2 overall record heading into Saturday’s game at Maryland.