Lynette Woodard Says Caitlin Clark Didn't Beat Her Scoring Record

Iowa's Caitlin Clark passed Lynette Woodard for the title of most points scored in women's college basketball.

Despite being a definite record on paper, Woodard disagrees that Clark truly passed her all-time scoring record. 

Woodard previously held the title as the all-time leader in points scored by a women's college basketball player at 3,649 points but never qualified as the NCAA's top scorer.

Clark ended her run at Iowa with 3,951 points. The Hawkeye earned the NCAA title, which had been previously contested because of Woodard's omission.

IOWA CITY, IA - MARCH 03: Lynette Woodard, previous holder of the women's basketball all-time scoring record, in attendance during a women's college basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 03, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts during the second half against the LSU Lady Tigers during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

She led a storied career at Kansas across four seasons (1977-81) under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics umbrella, keeping her name out as the official NCAA leader, which Clark now is.

This weekend, Woodard spoke at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association convention and commented that Clark didn't hold the actual record.

The Hall of Famer sounded critical of Clark's achievement despite previously congratulating her as the new scoring leader.

"I am the hidden figure, but no longer now," Woodard admitted. 

"My record was hidden from everyone for 43 years. I don't think...I'll just go ahead and get the elephant out of the room. I don't think my record has been broken because you can't duplicate what you're not duplicating. So unless you come with a men's basketball and a two-point shot..."

WATCH:

In the official NCAA history books, the scoring record was previously held by Kelsey Plum.

On Feb. 15, Clark passed the former Washington point guard for the NCAA Women’s Division I scoring record (3,527 points). The Hawkeyes senior reached Plum's mark in 13 fewer games played (126 against Plum's 139). 

Woodard's argument that the rules around college basketball during her playing time made scoring harder has picked up some fans since Clark passed the mark. 

Still, it remains a surprising twist in opinion for Woodard, previously giving Clark her flowers and now singing a different tune. 

"I don’t think Lynette Woodard would have had this moment without Caitlin Clark, so I’ve gotta give it right back to her," the Hall of Famer previously said about her newfound respect thanks to Clark.

Lynette Woodard #6, Point Guard for the United States women's basketball team during a portrait photo session circa 1990 at the Allen Fieldhouse indoor arena on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States. In 1985, Woodard became the first woman ever to play with the Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team.  (Photo by Tony Duffy/Allsport/Getty Images)

The timeline took another twist on Sunday when Woodard posted a follow-up to her comments from Saturday's event.

She posted a statement on X:

"To clarify my remarks made at an awards ceremony on Saturday, no one respects Caitlin Clark's accomplishments more than I do. This is why I accepted low's invitation to participate in Caitlin's senior day. My message was: a lot has changed, on and off the court, which makes it difficult to compare statistical accomplishments from different eras.

"Each is a snapshot in time. Caitlin holds the scoring record. I salute her and will be cheering for her throughout the rest of her career."

(Original Caption) Burbank, California: Lynette Woodard, of Wichita, Kansas, was named the first woman ever to the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team at their training camp in Burbank, October 7. Lynette, a five-foot, eleven-inch guard from the University of Kansas, was the captain of the US Women's Basketball Team that took the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

(Is Woodard right or is she salty about losing the record to Clark? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)

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