In the hallowed halls of women’s college basketball, records are etched in time, celebrated, and debated. One such record belongs to Lynette Woodard, a trailblazer who left an indelible mark on the game. As Caitlin Clark, the sensational Iowa Hawkeyes guard, soared to new heights, Woodard’s legacy came into focus once again.
According to a tweet by ClutchPoints referencing sportswriter Chrystal Stone, Woodard made a pointed statement: “I don’t think my [NCAA women’s scoring] record has been broken… Unless you come with a men’s basketball and a 2-point shot, you know”.
“I don’t think my [NCAA women’s scoring] record has been broken… Unless you come with a men’s basketball and a 2-point shot, you know.”
Hall of Famer Lynette Woodard doesn’t think her scoring record was broken by Caitlin Clark 👀
(via @chrystalstone_) pic.twitter.com/m9iUC09bw6
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 7, 2024
Lynette Woodard’s Record
Lynette Woodard’s scoring prowess is legendary. During her tenure at the University of Kansas from 1977 to 1981, she amassed an astonishing 3,649 points—a feat that stood as the women’s all-time scoring record for a major school. But as the game evolved, so did the rules. Woodard’s era lacked the three-point shot, and she played with a men’s basketball—a stark contrast to today’s game.
Enter Caitlin Clark, a sharpshooting dynamo who rewrote the record books. Clark’s name now graces the top of the scoring list, surpassing Lynette Woodard’s mark. Her audacious range, court vision, and ability to light up the scoreboard have captivated fans and analysts alike. But Woodard, ever the competitor, weighs in with a perspective rooted in history.
Lynette Woodard’s era played under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), a different governing body from today’s NCAA. The shift in rules—from no three-point line to its inclusion—adds complexity to record comparisons. Pete Maravich’s son, Jason, faced a similar situation when Caitlin Clark surpassed his father’s Division I points record. Jason aptly called it “apples-to-oranges.”
Despite the debate, Woodard displayed grace when Iowa celebrated Clark’s milestone. At Carver-Hawkeye Arena, she recognized the significance of the moment and praised Clark for shining a spotlight on women’s basketball history. Lynette Woodard’s legacy remains intact, and her humility underscores the camaraderie that transcends records.
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