KU legend Lynette Woodard shares message as Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record
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LAWRENCE (KSNT) – Lost in the bowels of history in the historic Allen Fieldhouse, with memories upon memories of all-time great men’s basketball moments, is a women’s player that holds a record no other Jayhawk has reached.
Lynette Woodard sits atop women’s college basketball’s all-time scoring charts with 3,649 career points. Despite that, Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark is being praised for passing the all-time record with 3,528 points.
Why?
Woodard played for Kansas women’s basketball from 1977 to 1981; a time with a larger basketball and no 3-point line. It was also a time where women’s athletics were governed by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. In 1982, governing power was transferred over to the NCAA, where it is today.
The NCAA doesn’t recognize Woodard’s record in its official books, as the former Jayhawk played before the NCAA oversaw women’s sports.
Looking at the list of athletes atop the charts, you’ll find Clark, Washington’s Kelsey Plum, Ohio State’s Kelsey Mitchell and even Claflin, Kansas, native Jackie Stiles. All of them are all-time great players, but none of them have scored more points than Lynette Woodard.
27 News received a comment from Woodard’s publicist about the achievements of Clark’s record.
“Statement from Lynette Woodard
I want to congratulate Caitlin Clark on her sensational career and becoming the new Division I NCAA scoring leader.
In 1982, when the NCAA began offering women’s championships, I was the first female athlete to earn the NCAA’s Top V Award. At that time, the NCAA recognized my career scoring record of 3,649 points, all achieved in my four seasons at the University of Kansas.
I am proud of my record that has stood for 43 years. I played from 1977 until 1981, when women’s basketball was governed by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Back then, collegiate women’s players used a larger basketball, and we did not have a 3-point line. In honoring Caitlin’s accomplishments, I hope that we can also shine a light on the pioneers who paved the way before her. Women’s basketball has a glorious history that predates the NCAA’s involvement. I applaud Caitlin for everything she has done and look forward to watching her score many more points for years to come.”
— Lynette Woodard, February 15, 2024
Woodard, a former star at Wichita North High School, has an incredible story outside of her time at Kansas. She’s a gold medal winner, the first-ever woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters, WNBA veteran, coach, Hall of Famer and more.
With a career average of 28.2 points per game, Clark is projected to pass Woodard’s career mark in the next four games. Until then, Woodard can still say her 3,649 points is more than any other women at the college level.
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