Lynette Woodard
Inducted:
2004
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
160 lb (73 kg)
Born
August 12, 1959
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Position
Guard
College
Kansas (1977–1981)
Lynette Woodard is a pioneer whose career defined the transition of women’s basketball into the modern era. A 6'0" guard from the University of Kansas, Woodard was the most prolific scorer in the history of the women's game during her time, amassing 3,649 points—a mark that stood for over 40 years as the major-college record. Woodard is perhaps most famous for breaking one of the most significant gender barriers in sports: in 1985, she became the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
She was a cornerstone of USA Basketball, captaining the 1984 Olympic team to its first-ever gold medal. After a long career overseas in Italy and Japan, she came out of retirement at age 38 to play in the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997, proving her longevity and elite skill set. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Woodard's Awards and Honors
- Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2005)
- 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 1981 Wade Trophy (Player of the Year)
- 4x Kodak All-American (1978–1981)
- WNBA Pioneer (Inaugural 1997 Season)
- 31 Retired by the University of Kansas
- All-time leading scorer in University of Kansas history
- USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (1983)
WNBA Team
Cleveland Rockers (1997)
Detroit Shock (1998)
WNBA Draft
1997: Allocated
Cleveland Rockers
Number Worn
8
WNBA Stats
Seasons:
2 (1997–1998)
Games Played:
55
Game Started:
35
Points Per Game:
5.7
Rebounds Per Game:
3.3
Assists Per Game:
1.6
College Career Points:
3,649 (26.3 ppg)
College Career Rebounds:
1,734 (KU All-time Record)
Olympic Medals:
1 (Gold, 1984 - Team Captain)