She's the best of the best of the best.
McArthur Court will get its final visit tonight from Candice Wiggins, the 5-foot-11 Stanford senior who is the all-time leading scorer for the Pac-10's best program. Wiggins broke the Cardinal scoring record one week ago and is poised to finish her career with more points than anyone in conference history.
"With Candice, the ball just goes in the basket," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer told reporters after Wiggins surpassed Kate Starbird's school record of 2,215 points last week against USC. "She's not only a great scorer, but a great player."
With 20 points in the No. 6 Cardinal's win at Santa Clara on Tuesday, Wiggins has 2,273 for her career. She brings that total into McArthur Court for a 7 p.m. game against Oregon (10-12, 4-7 Pac-10) today.
Currently third on the conference career scoring chart, Wiggins is likely to pass both OSU great Tanja Kostic (2,349 points) and USC's Lisa Leslie (2,414) before this season is through.
Among currently active players, Wiggins leads the Pac-10 in career scoring, three-pointers made, assists and steals. Though a guard, Wiggins is also third in rebounds and sixth in blocked shots, to boot.
"It's just a statement of who she is," UO coach Bev Smith said of the scoring record. "I remember watching her in high school, and you fell in love with her athleticism, you fell in love with her speed and her quickness.
"But she just has the X factor of work ethic and character, and this incredible ability to win. She's going to win come hell or high water."
Wiggins has twice been named Pac-10 player of the year, and might have had a third last year if not for injuries. She seems poised to win again as a senior, having been named conference player of the week four times so far this season, including each of the past two weeks.
Wiggins leads the conference in scoring with 18.7 points per game
The Ducks, meanwhile are trying to end a four-game losing streak tonight against Wiggins and the Cardinal.
"Her will is so strong," Smith said. "It's incredible to watch. It was incredible to watch in high school, and — unfortunately — it's incredible to watch now. She gives me goosebumps sometimes in watching her will to win."