There was only one way that Caitlin Clark could have broken the NCAA DI women’s basketball scoring record, and that’s with a logo three.

Clark entered Thursday’s game against Michigan needing 8 points to pass Kelsey Plum. It took her two minutes to get there, as she scored 8 straight, including the logo three to break the record in style.

While she didn’t initially have a plan in place for setting the record, the way she did it didn’t come as a surprise.

“You all knew I was going to shoot a logo 3 for the record,” Clark said after the game. “I stepped back to my left a little bit and was able to get it off. Warming up, my shot felt good, and I knew it was going to be one of those nights. I had the pep in my step. I’m so thankful my teammates let me be me.”

She would go on to score 23 points in the first quarter – the most points scored in a first quarter in her Iowa career.

It wasn’t the only big thing about Clark’s night, as she scored a career-high 49 points in Iowa’s 106-89 win, breaking the scoring record for Carver Hawkeye-Arena set roughly a week earlier by teammate Hannah Stuelke.

“I don’t know if you can really script it any better. To do it in this fashion, I’m very grateful. I started crying watching that video because I feel so much gratitude and love. The way these fans support women’s basketball is so special.”

She also had 13 assists in the game, meaning scored or assisted on 79 of the Hawkeyes’ 106 points. That’s the most in a game by a DI player in the last 25 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Clark now has 3,569 career points, with four games left to go in the regular season, meaning she could extend the record. Her 16 30-point games this season leads DI, and she leads the country in scoring.

According to OptaSTATS, no one else in basketball history – NBA, WNBA or NCAA – has reached 3,569 points, 1,018 assists, 882 rebounds and 487 threes made over a 126-game span.

“It really is hard to stop Caitlin Clark,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said.

“It’s spectacular,” she continued. “She does it with flair, confidence and passion. Wasn’t it fitting that she hit the logo three to break the record? And then you might as well keep going and get 49 [points]. It was absolutely perfect.”

After the game, t-shirts were handed out to teammates that read “You break it, you own it,” while mock copies of the Des Moines Register with the headline “Unmatched” were handed out. A congratulatory video with messages from family and friends had Clark emotional.

“They’ve seen me go through some really hard losses and some really great wins,” Clark said of her parents and two brothers. “They’ve been there pushing me to be my very best and allowing me to dream ever since I was a young girl. I didn’t plan on crying tonight, but it got me a little bit.

“I’m so thankful every single day, because I’m playing in front of 15,000 people. I get to do it with my best friends. I get to play the game that I absolutely love more than anything.”

As part of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend festivities, the Phoenix Mercury officially opened the doors to their new state-of-the-art practice facility on Thursday.

Along with a host of player-driven amenities, the 58,000-square-foot, $100 million property showcases two full-sized basketball courts named after veteran Mercury star Diana Taurasi, complete with a one-of-a-kind Taurasi-inspired logo.

The Diana Taurasi courts pay tribute to the three-time WNBA champion, six-time Olympian, 11-time WNBA All-Star, and the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.

“Phoenix is the best basketball city in the world and continues to elevate the standard in women’s professional sports,” said Mercury owner Mat Ishbia in a team release. “This practice facility is about hard work, passion, and greatness, all attributes that Diana Taurasi exemplifies, and we are honored to name our basketball courts after the greatest women’s basketball player of all time.”

With 24-hour access for players and staff, the practice courts feature built-in technologies capable of providing real-time performance analytics. The facility also includes a strength and cardio training area, indoor and outdoor turf training areas, a functional movement area, and a team meeting room with theater-style seating.

Amenities specific to athlete recovery are also on hand, including a dedicated physician and testing room, recovery room, hydrotherapy room with hot and cold plunge pools, freestanding underwater treadmill, and two massage rooms. The locker room is home to vanity stations, a sauna, a steam room, and a wellness room.

An area for players to relax and refuel, the onsite player lounge and kitchen is stocked with private chef, snack bar, pantry, and smoothie bar.

“This practice facility sets the standard for what it means to invest in women’s sports,” said Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein. “From performance to recovery to team culture, we are providing our players with the space and amenities they need to be and feel their best.”

The Mercury’s practice facility is located inside the Player 15 Group’s team member campus, headquarters to owner Mat Ishbia’s sports, entertainment, real estate, and investment company. the Player 15 Group’s team member campus. Debuting this past April, the grounds also house business facilities for the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Suns, Valley Suns, and arena operations.

While the 2024 All-Star Game doesn’t tip off until Saturday, this year’s WNBA Skills Challenge and STARRY 3-Point Contest promise to light up Phoenix’s Footprint Center on Friday.

The evening’s programming will allow fans to watch as towering center Brittney Griner shows off her speed and mobility before putting 2024’s most statistically excellent three-point shooters to the test.

In addition to the two annual events, the night will also showcase the first-ever WNBA All-Star 3×3 Exhibition, with the Olympic-bound 3×3 National Team taking on USA Basketball’s 3×3 U23 National Team.

To make things even more interesting, Aflac has promised to supplement the Skills Competition and 3-Point Contest’s prize pool with a $55,000 bonus for each winner.

Skills Challenge highlights league’s best

Perhaps the least straightforward event in Friday’s series, the Skills Challenge — in which five players will compete in a timed obstacle course testing their dribbling, passing, speed, and shooting abilities —should come down to the wire. Each contestant will attempt to complete the course as quickly as possible, with the two fastest first-round players advancing to a head-to-head final.

Ten-time WNBA All-Star Griner (Phoenix) headlines the Skills Challenge roster, accompanied by Mercury teammate Sophie Cunningham as well as Allisha Gray (Atlanta), 2019 WNBA All-Star MVP Erica Wheeler (Indiana), and newly acquired Connecticut guard Marina Mabrey.

Mabrey will be competing in both the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest, taking the court for the first time since her requested trade from Chicago sent her the Sun.

Top shooters put their skills on display

Despite Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark reportedly declining to participate, some of the WNBA’s best shooters will be on display in tonight’s STARRY 3-Point Contest. Shooters will tally up points from five set shooting locations around the arc plus two additional “Starry Range” deep shots worth three points each.

2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones (New York) will enter a battle of the bigs with Washington’s Stefanie Dolson, who sits second in the league in three-point field goal percentage this season with 48.5%.

But Jones and Dolson will face stiff competition from Kayla McBride (Minnesota), who leads the league in three-pointers made, as well as the aforementioned Gray and Mabrey.

WNBA All-Star Weekend adds 3×3 Exhibition to the mix

Tonight’s debut 3×3 Exhibition will serve as a warmup for Team USA’s Rhyne Howard (Atlanta), former WNBA player Cierra Burdick, college star Hailey Van Lith (TCU), and Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles), who came on to replace Sparks teammate Cameron Brink after her season-ending ACL tear.

The Olympians’ U-23 opposition is also gearing up for a major event, with collegiate squad members Christina Dalce (Maryland), Morgan Maly (Creighton), Cotie McMahon (Ohio State), Lucy Olsen (Iowa), Mikaylah Williams (LSU), and Serah Williams (Wisconsin) set to play in the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Nations League tournament in Mexico City starting July 22nd.

Where to watch the WNBA Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest

All three events will air on ESPN starting at 9 PM ET on Friday, July 19th.

WNBA All-Star Weekend has arrived, with orange carpet fits, courtside looks, and fierce competition adding up to one epic weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, all punctuated by the 2024 All-Star Game.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s tip-off.

Olympians and All-Stars take the court

The much discussed Team USA vs. Team WNBA format will take centerstage on Saturday, as Olympic preparation meets a few snubs and some surprising teammates.

The US has limited opportunities to build chemistry within their squad of top American talent, and will need to take their rotations seriously despite the game’s friendly nature.

For Team WNBA, the All-Star Game could provide vets like Arike Ogunbowale

 and star rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese the opportunity to publicly show how they match up against this year’s Olympic roster, with thoughts toward the future.

Star rookies link up for the first time

Saturday’s showdown will also mark the first time Clark and Reese have ever suited up for the same team, taking the court for Team WNBA in the highly anticipated team-up of two former college rivals.

“She’s probably going to lead the game in rebounds,” Clark quipped when asked about playing alongside Reese.

“This is not going to be the [last] time, I know we’ll be All-Stars again,” Reese said about playing with Clark on last week’s NBA Today. “Hopefully in 2028 we’ll be Olympians together, too.”

WNBA All-Star Game coaches face starting lineup decisions

Fans are keeping watch on Team USA’s starting five, though recent injuries to Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier could affect head coach Cheryl Reeve’s ability to immediately field the best group.

Meanwhile, WNBA legend Cheryl Miller — who coached the Phoenix Mercury from 1997-2000 — will serve as Team WNBA’s boss for the night. Overall Top 10 All-Star vote-getters Clark, Ogunbowale, Aliyah Boston, and Dearica Hamby are expected to start the game for Team WNBA, alongside an additional player of Miller’s discretion.

Olympians Collier and Stewart, plus A’ja Wilson, Kahleah Copper, Jackie Young, and Sabrina Ionescu also landed in the Top 10 of votes submitted by fans, media, and fellow players.

Where to watch the WNBA All-Star Game

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game will tip off at 8:30 PM ET on Saturday, July 20th, on ESPN.

Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper has been working toward this year’s WNBA All-Star Weekend for a long time.

2024 won’t be Copper’s first trip to the All-Star Game — in fact, she’s been an All-Star for four consecutive seasons. This weekend also won’t be Copper’s greatest individual achievement to date. Afterall, it’s tough to beat winning Finals MVP as part of the 2021 WNBA Champion Chicago Sky. And this year isn’t even Copper’s first time playing the All-Star Game in her home arena; that was in Chicago in 2022.

But this will be Copper’s first All-Star Weekend as an Olympian, a title she’s been striving for since the moment the Tokyo Games ended in August 2021. Back then, the 29-year-old had been one of Team USA’s final roster cuts prior to the Olympics. And from that day forward, she made it her mission to channel  her disappointment into becoming an indispensable part of the 2024 Paris Olympic squad.

“I wouldn’t change my process for anything,” she told Just Women’s Sports earlier this week as she prepared to join the national team at training camp in Phoenix. “I’m super grateful for it, it has definitely prepared me. It’s a testament to my work ethic, and me just really being persistent about what it is that I want.”

A proud product of North Philadelphia, Copper has always been big on manifesting, speaking her intentions confidently into the universe and never shying away from  ambitions no matter how far-fetched they sounded.

“It’s important to set goals, manifest those things, talk about it,” she said. “Because the more you speak it, you speak it into existence.”

She also displays those goals on her refrigerator at home, forcing herself to keep them front of mind every day. The day she was named to the Olympic roster, ESPN’s Holly Rowe posted one of these visual reminders to social media: A 2021 photo showing Copper wearing a Team USA t-shirt over her Chicago Sky warmups, smiling at the camera while holding up the homemade gold medal slung around her neck.

“Kahleah Copper put out [the] photo on the left in Aug. 2021 and manifested that she WOULD be an Olympian,” Rowe’s caption read. “Today she made team USA. Dreams to reality.”

Copper turns her focus to Team USA

With one dream realized, Copper is aware that the job isn’t finished, as USA women’s basketball is aiming to win a historic eighth-straight Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer. That path doesn’t technically begin with All-Star Weekend — where Team USA will take on Team WNBA in a crucial tune-up game — but the trial run could make a difference when the team touches down in Europe next week.

“It’s serious, because other countries, they spend a lot of time together, so their chemistry is great,” Copper said of her Olympic competition. “We don’t get that, we don’t have that much time together. Just putting all the great players together is not enough. It’s gonna take a lot more than that.”

With a laugh, Copper acknowledged that Team USA’s task at hand could lightly dampen the occasionally raucous All-Star festivities (“Balance!” was an oft-repeated word). But it’s a cost she and her national team colleagues are more than willing to pay if it helps them come out on top in Paris.

Of course, Copper — along with club teammates Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner — will be enjoying home-court advantage when the All-Star Game tips off inside Phoenix’s Footprint Center on Saturday, a factor that might put them slightly more at ease.

A “damn near perfect” new WNBA team

Copper made the move to the Mercury just this season after establishing herself as a respected star in Chicago. What she joined was a work in progress, one of a number of key 2024 signings under first-time head coach Nate Tibbetts. Having played for the Sky since 2017, Copper wasn’t exactly sure what to expect of the transition. But any positive manifestations she put out about her new team seemed to have done the trick.

“I said I would never go to the West Coast, I could never go that far from home,” she said. “But I didn’t know that this organization was what it was: Super professional, really taking care of everything. It’s damn near perfect.”

Copper herself has been damn near perfect, shooting 45% from the field while leading sixth-place Phoenix to a 13-12 record on the season. She’s also averaging a career-high 23.2 points per game, second highest in the league behind soon-to-be six-time WNBA All-Star A’ja Wilson’s 27.2 points per game. It’s not lost on Copper that she’s playing in front of packed houses, with the Mercury accounting for some of the W’s biggest crowds throughout its 28-year run.

“Here in Phoenix, our fans are amazing,” Copper said. “They show up every single night.”

Copper’s All-Star home-court advantage

All-Star Weekend presents Copper even more opportunities to connect with her new city, including by making an appearance at American Express’s interactive fan experience at WNBA Live 2024. As part of the activation, Copper recorded a few short stories about growing up a basketball fan, describing the posters of Candace Parker, Seimone Augustus, and Ivory Latta she had as a child, and how she dreamed of joining her idols as a professional basketball player.

The Rutgers grad said she was excited about connecting with Phoenix fans on their level, rooting herself in a shared love of the sport even as she moves from watching the WNBA on TV to becoming one of its brightest stars. The message is clear: If you want something bad enough, and you work for it hard enough, just about anything is possible.

But for all of Copper’s personal manifestations, she’s never lost sight of the most important thing: winning. And she won’t stop grinding until she’s posing for the cameras in Paris, holding up a real Olympic gold medal.

“When winning comes, the other stuff will come,” she said. “The individual sh*t will come.”