'She is out of her mind': Lynette Woodard slammed for refusing to accept Caitlin Clark broke her record

CLEVELAND, SOUTH CAROLINA: As Caitlin Clark played the final game of her illustrious career for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Lynette Woodard, the previous all-time scoring leader in major women’s college basketball, believes her record still stands, as per New York Post.  

Woodard had earlier acknowledged Clark's record but it appears she doesn't feel as charitable now. 

What did Lynette Woodard say? 

When Woodard spoke at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association meeting in Cleveland during the women's Final Four, she said she wanted to "get the elephant out of the room."

She said, "I am the hidden figure, but no longer now," adding, "My record was hidden from everyone for 43 years. 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 2-point shot, you know … but just for you, so you can understand, so you can help me spread that word."

In her four seasons with the Kansas Jayhawks from 1977 to 1981, Woodard scored 3,649 points. She argues that her total should be valid because there was no three-point line in place in addition to other rules. Woodard also brought up men's basketball, which was in use in the women's game back then since it was a different size than it is now.

That said, Clark has clearly made the most of her college experience, draining 543 three-pointers before Sunday's national championship game against South Carolina. She is now at 3,921 points. Woodard handed Clark her flowers after the Hawkeyes invited her to a game at Iowa City's Carver-Hawkeye Arena, after Clark passed her.

When Woodard's record was broken by Clark in February, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder made sure to acknowledge her. Bluder argued that Woodard's point total should be recognized by the NCAA even though she played under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, just before the NCAA recognized women's sports.

Clark’s points total will continue to build in her final game against the Gamecocks; the WNBA’s projected No 1 pick later this year averages 28.4 points per game in her career, including 31.7 in her senior season this year.

Internet slams Woodard's refusal to accept Clark's accomplishment

Several social media users slammed Woodard for her remarks. A Facebook user said, "That's sad. Just credit this young lady and what she's doing for the sport right now. Stop sending hate her way. She made her relevant again to a generation who didn't know she existed. Accept that love and visibility and use it for good." 

Another user wrote, "She's out of her mind. Her record has been broken." Someone else said, "It's sad, but no one would know you even existed without Clark. Be happy for women's basketball. You are a huge part of it. Thanks for all you have done!!" 

A user noted, "Alot of women who are suppose to be professionals, acting very unprofessional!" Another said, "Clark didn't make the rules And talent is talent. Not many fans really knew Woodward's name until this season She should have capitalized on that instead of appearing to have sour grapes." 

A user wrote, "Caitlin Clark is literally a bigger deal than the rest of NCAA women's basketful or the entirely of the WNBA. But rather than embrace her and enjoy the reflected glow these jealous has beens would rather belittle her and continue to play to 300 people a night."

Someone else claimed, "She is insane." Another opined, "I suspect that if Pete Maravich were alive, he would have been thrilled to see Caitlin Clark break his all time record. He didn't have the 3 point shot either." 

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