Basketball Hall of Famer, Lynette Woodard, sparked controversy with her comments as Caitlin Clark became the all-time scoring leader in major women’s college basketball.
Clark made history when she scored the 3,650th point of her career in February, surpassing the former record of 3,649 points, which Woodard racked up between 1977 and 1981.
The 22-year-old's total - which has since reached more then 3,920 - made her the new record holder in major women’s college basketball, but Woodard has since revealed that she isn't convinced her record has been broken.
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Woodard shared her thoughts on the matter during an appearance at the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association convention in Cleveland, where she said she wanted to 'get the elephant out of the room'.
She continued: "I am the hidden figure, but no longer now. 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."
When Woodard earned her record, there was no three-point line and women played using a men's basketball, which is a different size to that used in the women's game.
The crowd at the event where Woodard made her comments responded with 'oohs' as she spoke, and other basketball fans accused Woodward of being 'jealous' after the clip was shared online.
"So salty," one person commented, as another wrote: "This is the cringiest thing i’ve ever seen in sports," another added.
After the clip of Woodard's comments began to circulate, the former basketball star took to Instagram in an attempt to clarify her comments and make clear that she 'respects' Clark's achievement.
She wrote: "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.
"Caitlin holds the scoring record. I salute her and will be cheering for her throughout the rest of her career."
In an interview with Iowa News Now last month, Woodard described Clark as the 'greatest player right now'.
"That baby got the range, I'm trying to tell you," she continued. "Once she gets started today, it's going to be on."
UNILAD has contacted a representative for Woodard for comment.
Topics: NBA, Sport, Social Media
Emily Brown