Caitlin Clark Channels ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich in Remarkable Resemblance.

Caitlin Clark emulates ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich in multiple aspects.

Jaeson Maravich provided his insights on the resemblances.

During his visit to Covington, Louisiana, near New Orleans, Jaeson Maravich received a call from his mother, Jackie, who urged him to witness the exceptional skills of a certain girl on the basketball court. It seems that Jackie possesses a keen eye for the sport, likely influenced by her own experiences.

Having met and married the legendary Pistol Pete Maravich during his NBA stardom, their union took place in 1976, just 12 years prior to his untimely demise at the age of 40 while playing pick-up basketball, due to an undetected heart defect.

As Jaeson, who was only 9 years old at the time of his father’s passing, watched television last spring, he was taken aback by the astonishing revelation that unfolded before him – a revelation that seemed to connect him to a long-lost relative in more ways than one.

Jaeson Maravich was instantly impressed by Caitlin Clark.

Maravich expressed his admiration immediately. He stated to OutKick last week, “She is truly exceptional. She even bears a striking resemblance, almost like a cousin. There is a clear similarity to my father – the slender physique and deep, intense eyes. Her shooting range extends to 30 or 35 feet, reminiscent of his, and her passing skills are magical. While not as flashy, she is an excellent ball handler as well. No one could effectively defend against her.”

Jackie and Jaeson Maravich witnessed on ESPN that Friday night, March 31, was a game that captured the attention of millions across the nation. A record-breaking average of 5.5 million viewers tuned in, making it the most-watched college basketball game on ESPN, for both men and women, since the Duke-North Carolina men’s game in 2008.

The Maraviches were treated to an incredible performance by the skinny, lanky point guard Caitlin Clark of No. 2 Iowa, who scored 41 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed six rebounds to lead her team to a thrilling 77-73 upset victory over No. 1 and previously undefeated South Carolina in the national semifinal at the Final Four in Dallas. Clark made history by becoming the first player in women’s NCAA Tournament history to score 40 points or more in consecutive games, and only the second player to achieve this feat in a Final Four game.

During his college career from 1967-1970, Maravich achieved an impressive feat by averaging a remarkable 44.2 points per game, setting an NCAA record. It’s worth noting that this accomplishment was accomplished without the presence of freshmen players and the absence of a 3-point shot.

Jaeson Maravich, who admittedly doesn’t closely follow women’s basketball, was astounded by the skills of an unknown player. He marveled at her ability to consistently make shots from 30 feet away, showcasing her exceptional shooting range. Furthermore, he praised her agility, as she could abruptly stop on a dime even from distances of 25 or 30 feet. Her style of play was described as unpredictable, yet she displayed remarkable composure and confidence on the court. Jaeson concluded by comparing her to his father, acknowledging her versatility and all-around skills.

Clark, a Des Moines, Iowa native, who is not related to the Maravich family, boasts a shooting percentage of .465, while Maravich’s career shooting percentage stood at .438.

And Clark, a senior point guard, is on the verge of breaking Maravich’s NCAA career scoring record of 3,667 points, needing just 51 more points to achieve this milestone. In her recent game against Illinois, she recorded an impressive stat line of 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 101-85 victory. Currently, she has amassed 3,617 points over her four-year college career.

Iowa, ranked No. 4 with a record of 24-4 (13-3 Big Ten), will face Minnesota (15-12, 5-11 Big Ten) on Wednesday at 9 p.m. before taking on No. 2 Ohio State (23-3, 14-1 Big Ten) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Clark has been averaging 32 points per game this season, reaching a career-high of 49 points on Feb. 15 against Michigan, where she surpassed the NCAA women’s career scoring record.

Maravich played a total of 83 games during his college career, while Clark has already played in 128 games with two regular-season games remaining. Additionally, she could potentially play three more games in the Big Ten Tournament and six games in the NCAA Tournament. Due to the COVID-related extra-year rule from 2020, Clark might even consider staying at Iowa for a fifth season in 2024-25.

Caitlin Clark dominates in scoring, assists, and 3-pointers, leading the nation.

Maravich’s legacy in the NCAA includes holding the impressive record for the most career games of 50 points or more, totaling 28. On the other hand, Clark has emerged as a dominant force in women’s basketball, leading the nation in scoring with an average of 32.4 points per game. Additionally, she excels in assists, averaging 8.5 per game, and 3-pointers, with an average of 5.3 per game.

Considering Maravich’s tendency to shoot from beyond the 3-point line, it is estimated that he could have scored over 4,500 points throughout his career. If we include the 771 points he scored as a freshman in 1966-67, his total would have reached an impressive 5,271 points. It’s worth noting that this calculation does not account for the number of 3-pointers he would have made during his freshman year.

Maravich himself acknowledges that these are two distinct records, but he expresses his happiness for Clark’s achievements. He recognizes her as a great player who deserves all the success she has earned. Maravich also appreciates the positive impact her accomplishments have on the younger generation, highlighting the similarities in their playing styles.

It is often overlooked that Maravich, standing at 6-foot-5, was a formidable presence as a big guard during his time at LSU. He showcased his versatility by averaging 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Similarly, Clark, a taller guard in women’s basketball at 6-0, has displayed her all-around skills by averaging 7.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game throughout her career.

Maravich and Clark possess strikingly similar angular and slender facial features.

“It’s quite amusing how much they resemble each other,” remarked Maravich.

While Maravich was renowned for his untamed hair and distinctive socks, Clark has earned the nickname “Ponytail Pete.”

“I recently discovered that someone referred to me as ‘Ponytail Pete.’ I found it rather amusing,” shared Clark during the Final Four event last year. “I consider it a tremendous compliment. I am well-acquainted with Maravich’s style of play and have witnessed numerous highlights of his. I take great pride in my ability to contribute in various ways to my team. Sometimes, my passing skills may go unnoticed.”

Ironically, it was LSU that brought an end to Clark’s and Iowa’s season in the national championship game last year, with a score of 102-85.

In 1970, Pete Maravich achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the ‘Final Four’.

Maravich and LSU reached the Final Four in 1970, competing in the prestigious National Invitation Tournament Final Four at Madison Square Garden in New York. The teams included Army, St. John’s, and eventual champion Marquette, who defeated LSU in the semi-finals and St. John’s in the final.

Clark, like Maravich in the Southeastern Conference, is drawing large crowds in road arenas, including the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

Both Maravich and Clark have become iconic figures in American sports. Fans would cheer for Maravich during thrilling games, a trend that continues for Clark in the Big Ten this season.

Although Maravich never won a national championship or an NBA title, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history. Similarly, Clark’s legacy appears to be secure in the eyes of many, despite the absence of a national title.

Magic Johnson, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player, praised Maravich for his innovative playing style, including his no-look passes and unique ball-handling skills. Johnson credited Maravich for influencing his own game, acknowledging him as a game-changer ahead of his time.

Caitlin Clark has become a cultural icon, much like Pete Maravich was in his time.

Jay Bilas, a former Duke star and ESPN analyst, has placed Clark on the same level as Maravich. During a recent ESPN college basketball GameDay, Bilas expressed his belief that Clark is a cultural phenomenon unlike anything seen before in basketball. He emphasized that her impact goes beyond just breaking scoring records. According to Bilas, Clark has not only elevated the women’s game but the game of basketball as a whole. He further stated that in his judgment, we will not witness another player like her again.

Maravich, known for his influence on young boys in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, is considered unparalleled in his ability to inspire them to play basketball.

Bilas also highlighted the impact Clark has on young girls who look up to her. He mentioned that they are now dreaming about the game in a way they never have before, thanks to Clark’s achievements.

One popular comparison made for Clark is to Golden State’s Steph Curry. However, Seth Greenberg from ESPN GameDay disagrees with this comparison. Instead, he compares Clark to Pistol Pete Maravich, emphasizing her passing ability and basketball IQ. Like Maravich, Clark has the ability to make the game easier for her teammates and anticipates plays before they happen.

Clark herself has already witnessed the breaking of Maravich’s record, showcasing her exceptional talent and skill.

Caitlin Clark has ambitious aspirations.

In a recent interview on ESPN, she expressed her pre-game ritual of visualizing her desired outcomes for the game. “Before every game, I try to take time and just visualize what I want to happen in the game,” she stated. Her ambitious nature and lofty dreams drive her motivation on the court.

Similarly, the legendary Maravich also possessed a similar mindset. He believed in the power of love, unwavering character, and the realization of dreams through patience and persistence. His words resonate with the essence of achieving greatness.

However, it is important to acknowledge that these two individuals have different records and accomplishments. Bob Remy, the official scorekeeper for every New Orleans Jazz home game during Maravich’s tenure, recognizes the exceptional talent of the female player. He considers her to be possibly the best women’s player ever. Remy highlights the similarities between her and Maravich, such as their prowess in passing rather than shooting.

Both players possess a captivating showmanship on the court. Remy hopes that she achieves her goals, but he emphasizes the distinction between their eras and the evolution of the game. He firmly believes that comparing her achievements to Maravich’s records would not be fair, as they played in different times with different rules, including the absence of the 3-pointer during Maravich’s era.