Did Hall of Famer Downplay Caitlin Clark’s Scoring Record? Here’s the Truth

For those not in the know, Woodard previously held the record for the most points scored in a major women’s college basketball tournament with 3,649 points for Kansas in a career that spanned from 1977 to 1981, per CNN. Woodard played in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), which was the organizing body before the NCAA.

Unfortunately, the NCAA doesn’t recognize Woodard’s record because she accomplished it before 1982, which was the year when the institution only started accepting women’s sports, according to The Athletic.

Clark has since broken Woodard’s record –which she did last February against the Minnesota Golden Gophers–as she also went on to become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer for both men and women.

Interestingly, Woodard’s recent comments about Clark breaking her record turned some heads after the legend said that she doesn’t believe her record has been broken.

“My record was hidden from everyone for 43 years. … 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,” Woodard said during the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association convention on Saturday.

“Unless you come with a men’s basketball and a 2-point shot, hey, you know. You can help me spread that word.”

Many felt that she was taking a shot at Clark, though she probably has been misunderstood since the Hawkeyes star made her scoring record at a time when there is a 3-point line. Not to mention the difference in the game from year’s past to today.

Lynette Woodard Sets Record Straight on Caitlin Clark Issue

Sure enough, Lynette Woodard clarified her comments about her scoring record, emphasizing that she’s only saying that it seems unfair to compare statistical accomplishments between two wildly different eras. Furthermore, she highlighted that Caitlin Clark holds the scoring record, plain and simple.

Woodard also noted that she’s in no way disrespecting Clark, adding that she remains supportive of the Iowa Hawkeyes legend and will continue to cheer for her as she takes the next step in her career.

“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 Iowa’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,” Woodard wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Caitlin holds the scoring record. I salute her and will be cheering for her throughout the rest of her career.”

Hopefully, Woodard’s explanation is enough to defuse any unnecessary rumor created by the misunderstanding rooted from her earlier comments. Besides, It’s hard to imagine Woodard dissing Clark, especially considering how much the youngster has done for the game.