All-Time Women's Great Lynette Woodard Returns To The Game

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands — The name, so familiar and significant, loudly echoed throughout the gym. There’s a chance many, locals and and even a few stars on the court alike, had no idea who she was, but those who did understand and appreciated her importance to the game.

Lynette Woodard is now an assistant coach for Winthrop. She took the job in August to make her comeback to the women’s game official following a short break. But a few moons ago, she was a hoops legend and, in many ways, still is.

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Woodard, 57, has a long list of accomplishments and records attached to her name. She won two state championships at Wichita North, became a four-time All-American at Kansas where she still is major college basketball’s career women’s scoring leader, has an Olympic gold medal from 1984, and was the first female ever to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Woodard has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

So there’s no doubt there was an icon inside the University of the Virgin Islands gym during the Paradise Jam. And while Winthrop went 0-3 during the tournament, these young women will be learning from one of the best to ever lace them up.