History has it eyes on her

The GIST: Folks, she’s done it. No. 4 Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark is now the all-time NCAA women’s basketball leading scorer, sealing the deal with a signature logo three, before dropping a career-high 49 points in last night’s 106–89 win over Michigan. The best part? She’s nowhere near done yet.

How it happened: After coming up short in a Super Bowl Sunday upset loss to Nebraska, Clark wasted no time breaking the record last night, getting the job done in the first three minutes as part of the stunning scoring and 13-assist effort.

The impact: The Caitlin Clark Effect warrants revisiting. Tickets for last night’s historic showdown reached astronomical prices, her games have become appointment viewing, and her knack for adding to her highlight reels with jaw-dropping shots and smooth passes creates a never-ending stream of viral moments. The world just can’t look away.

What’s next: Along with the non-NCAA records, Clark will now chase down former LSU and NBA star Pete Maravich’s 54-year-old all-time NCAA scoring record as her Hawkeyes look ahead to next month’s March Madness, where Clark first captured the nation’s attention last season.

• Not to get ahead of ourselves, but the 2024 WNBA Draft is also on everyone’s mind, as Clark still has another year of NCAA eligibility and could return to Iowa for a fifth season.

• She’s been tight-lipped about whether or not she’ll go pro, saying, “I’m just going to trust my gut and go with that.” It sure has worked so far.

The GIST: NBA All-Star Weekend has arrived, featuring three nights of star-studded events, highlighted by tomorrow’s Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point Challenge. Read up on all the fun ahead before letting us know which swish god you think will reign supreme.

Panini Rising Stars, tonight at 9 p.m. ET: Twenty-eight NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League (the NBA’s feeder league) players will square off in a three-game mini tournament tonight.

• Keep your eyes on San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren because the tension between these ultra-talented, long-limbed newbies has been building all season long.

State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET: Following the Kia Skills Challenge and the Starry 3-Point Contest comes the most highly anticipated battle of the sexes since 1973: Stephen vs. Sabrina.

• Curry is the NBA’s all-time three-point leader while Ionescu is the WNBA’s single-season three-point record holder. And adding to the stakes, Ionescu will take her shots from the NBA three-point line (further back than the W’s) in this first-of-its-kind charity battle.

• Then after the swishfest, it’s time for the AT&T Slam Dunk contest, featuring returning champion, G Leaguer Mac McClung. Move over, Ben Affleck — the real Dunk-king is ready.

73rd All-Star Game (ASG), Sunday at 8 p.m. ET: The ASG will return to its original East vs. West format, featuring four 12-minute quarters and a traditional scoring system. One thing to expect? Lots of buckets and very little defense.

• The Eastern Conference squad is captained by Milwaukee Buck Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced YAHN-iss ah-dedo-KOON-bo) and features debut All-Stars Jalen Brunson (NY Knicks) as well as Toronto Raptor Scottie Barnes, along with 2023 ASG MVP, Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum.

• And leading the Western Conference team is none other than LA Laker LeBron James, who is making his record 20th (!!!) All-Star appearance alongside 2023 Finals MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and first-timer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. Shine bright, shine far.

Dorothy did it first, but Torontonian RJ Barrett did it better, heading back to the 6ix to play for his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors, after being traded from the NY Knicks in December.

• Beyond fulfilling a lifelong dream, Barrett is leading the Dinos in points per game. Let Steve Nash’s godson cook.

Maple Mamba is one of just two Canadians suiting up for the Raps, but 27 of the Great White North’s finest ballers compete in the NBA, which is why, ahead of this summer’s Paris Olympics, the league created a website hub dedicated to our guys.

• Before you cheer on the red and white this summer, visit NBA REPRESENT for a deep-dive on your favorite Canadians and to unlock access to limited-edition merch and lights-out contests.

🏒 PWHL: Montréal vs. Toronto — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — TSN

• The day has finally arrived. The largest-ever pro women’s hockey crowd will fill the seats for Scotiabank Arena’s first PWHL game, aptly named The Battle on Bay Street.

🥌 Curling: Scotties Tournament of Hearts — Tonight through February 25th — 8 p.m. ET — TSN

• Defending Canadian women’s champion Kerri Einarson is eyeing her fifth straight national title and out to spoil the legendary Jennifer Jones’ swan song. Ready to rock.

⛳ PGA: Genesis Open — Ongoing through Sunday — Golf Channel

• American Patrick Cantlay is controlling the greens through the first round at the Riviera Country Club, but hopefully Canadian Adam Svensson, currently tied for eighth, can make a charge for a slice of the $20M pie.

🍁 NHL: Anaheim Ducks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet Ontario

• While defenseman Morgan Rielly preps to appeal his five-game suspension, the Buds squashed the sick bug and will look to quack out a win over their West Coast foes.