Throughout the storied history of NCAA Women’s Basketball, the game has been graced by phenomenal scorers whose talents have transcended the sport. These players have not only set records but also redefined what it means to be a top scorer. The nation is following Caitlin Clark’s scoring chase to become college basketball’s all-time leading scorer where on the women’s side. Clark is soon set to surpass the University of Washington’s Kelsey Plum’s current record of 3,527 points with Pete Maravich’s all-time mark of 3,677 points well within reach.

The Top Scorers in NCAA Women’s Basketball History

The history of NCAA Women’s Basketball showcases an elite scorers who have set the nets on fire, setting themselves apart in the sport. Unstoppable scorers like Clark, Brittney Griner, Plum, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Jackie Stiles have not only rewritten record books with their remarkable point tallies but have also become iconic figures.

Not only do we have the likes of Plum, Holdsclaw, Elena Delle Donne and Maya Moore, the list has scorers from smaller lesser-known programs like Patricia Hoskins and Dyaisha Fair along with those who led their teams to NCAA championships like Griner and Moore. Keep in mind that the NCAA didn’t recognize women’s college basketball until 1982, so legendary hooper Lynette Woodard would be at the top of this list with 3,649 points not to mention Carol Blazejowski’s 3,199 points in the last 1970’s.

Here is an updated list of the top scorers in NCAA Women’s College Basketball history since 1982.

1. Caitlin Clark , Iowa (3,569)

Clark has been a NCAA phenomenon often pulling up from the logo and routinely scoring 35+ points.  Clark surpassed Plum’s all-time record during the 2024 season and fittingly it came on a loooooooooong three pointer. “You all knew I was going to shoot a logo-3 for the record. C’mon now,” Clark said after breaking the record.

She not only owns the record but she’s going shatter it. If Clark continues at the pace she is scoring at, she’ll finish with 150+ more points than Plum. Not to mention Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes have been consistently one of the best teams in the nation. FanDuel NCAAB odds has Clark as the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark’s ascent up the charts comes at a time when interest in women’s basketball is at an all-time high (in large part because of Clark, too!) and it’s great timing for players that can benefit financially from NIL.

2. Kelsey Plum, University of Washington (3,527 points)

Plum set a remarkable record during her tenure with the Washington Huskies. Plum’s astounding ability to consistently find the basket led her to amass a record-breaking 3,527 points by the end of her collegiate career in 2017. While she will only hold the record for a few more days before Caitlin Clark breaks it, Plum is happy to let the record go as it represented a stressful time in her life.

“I remember, to be honest, [the record] was very much a low point in my life,” Plum said about that time. “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.”

Plum now plays for the Las Vegas Aces where she’s teamed up with fellow former No. 1 Draft Picks A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Candace Parker to win the Ace’s second WNBA championship.

3. Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State University (3,402)

Kelsey Mitchell, an Ohio State University standout, left a mark and burned up the nets in NCAA Women’s Basketball as one of the game’s most prolific scorers. Mitchell’s remarkable career saw her amass an impressive 3,402 points, showcasing her exceptional shooting range and scoring versatility. Her ability to consistently deliver high-scoring performances cemented her place among the all-time greats in college basketball history. She’s now playing in the WNBA and was unsurprisingly selected as one of the league’s All-Stars.

4. Jackie Stiles, Missouri State University (3,393)

Before the 5-8 Plum, it was the 5-8 Jackie Stiles who held the mantle of the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. Stiles, a phenomenal player  from Missouri State known for her scoring tenacity, accumulated a then-unprecedented 3,393 points. Her record stood tall for 16 years before being surpassed by Plum. Stiles would go on to the WNBA, but wouldn’t have the same success as she in college. Stiles now runs her own eponymous business as a basketball trainer, fitness instructor and motivational speaker.

5. Brittney Griner, Baylor University (3,283)

Brittney Griner, a name synonymous with dominance and dunks in women’s basketball, is another standout on this list. Playing for Baylor University, Griner’s towering presence and scoring acumen helped her tally 3,283 points. Griner’s height, athleticism, touch around the basket combined with her defensive skills, made her one of the most feared players in NCAA history. As we make it down this list, Griner is the first player on this all-time scoring list to lead her team to the NCAA title doing so with the Bears in 2012 in addition to two Final Fours.

On top of all that, Griner was the center of the NCAA’s first 40-0 record. Here’s the full list of NCAA college basketball players that surpassed 3,000 points in their college career (womens).

7. Patricia Hoskins, Mississippi Valley State University (3,122)

You might not know Patricia Hoskins’ name, but if you paid attention to women’s basketball during the late 1980’s, you’ll know the Mississippi Valley State star stands tall in the annals of NCAA Women’s Basketball as a scoring powerhouse. Accumulating a total of 3,122 points; good for seventh all-time, Hoskins was known for her relentless inside play, rebounding, and efficiency. Not just that, of all the all-time bucket getters on this list, Hoskins currently holds the highest points per game average 28.38 slightly above Clark’s current 28.15 PPG.

8. Lorri Bauman, Drake University (3,115)

Lorri Bauman, a legend from Drake University, made history in NCAA Women’s Basketball with her extraordinary scoring prowess. Bauman’s total of 3,115 points in the early 1980s set a new standard for scoring; being the first women’s player to surpass 3,000 points in her college career. This alone makes Bauman one of the most formidable players of her era and securing her legacy as a top scorer in Division I.

@marchmadnesswbb ✨ ✨ @Drake Women’s Basketball’s Lorri Bauman, who still holds the NCAA Tournament single-game scoring record for putting up 50 points against Maryland in West Regional Final#fyp#ncaawbbfyp #wbb #basketball ♬ original sound – marchmadnesswbb

10. Rachel Banham, University of Minnesota (3,093)

Current WNBA player Rachel Banham etched her name in NCAA history as a scoring sensation. With a remarkable total of 3,093 points, Banham’s ability to score from anywhere on the court made her a formidable opponent. In 2016, Banham tied the single-game scoring record, putting up 60 points on just 19 field goals. Her scoring feats, including tying the NCAA single-game scoring record, underscore her status as one of the elite scorers in women’s college basketball.

12. Elena Delle Donne, University of Delaware (3,039)

One of women’s basketball greatest players, Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne is one of the most versatile scorers in NCAA Women’s Basketball. Amassing 3,039 points in her career, Delle Donne’s unique blend of size, skill, and scoring ability not only broke records but also redefined what a forward could accomplish on the court, placing her firmly among the top scorers in Division I history and is easily one the WNBA’s greatest players.

13. Maya Moore, University of Connecticut (3,036)

Speaking of greatest WNBA players, Maya Moore’s contribution to UConn’s storied basketball program includes her place among the top scorers in NCAA history and one of the game’s greatest winners notching two NCAA championships and three Final Four runs. Moore’s 3,036 points are a testament to her scoring consistency as she only once averaged more than 20 points per game in a season. That scoring helped maintain UConn’s dominance in women’s college basketball during her time in Storrs.

15. Cheryl Miller, University of Southern California (3,018)

Cheryl Miller is one of the trailblazers of women’s basketball first making a name for herself when she scored a single game record with 105 points in a high school game. That game was a harbinger for her time at USC where she scored 3,018 career points and led the Trojans to the 1983 National Championship. Her play in the 1980s not only inked her name in the record books but also paved the way for the evolution of the sport, inspiring countless young athletes.

The remarkable scoring achievements of these athletes have made a significant impact that goes beyond mere statistics. Most of these players have helped to elevate the sport, improve the game’s visibility and influence the next wave of talent. These college stars played a significant role in elevating the stature and growing the popularity of women’s college basketball.

Cheryl Miller, Brittany Griner, Caitlin Clark and Maya Moore have done more than accumulate points; they’re trailblazers in the sport, breaking new ground and demonstrating the results of hard work and talent. The legacy of these top scorers is not just in the records they’ve set, but in the lasting inspiration they provide in the world of women’s sports.