Davis Stands Tall Among Others in Exclusive KU Club
Dec. 6, 2011
Of the 214 women that have suited up for the Kansas basketball team during the past 42 seasons, just 23 have surpassed the 1,000 point plateau for their careers. Junior Carolyn Davis can now stake claim to that select group of Crimson and Blue hoopsters.
“It is great to know that I am now on a list of great KU players,” Davis said. “To look at that list, see those names and know I am a part of that now is an honor.”
The Houston, Texas native notched her benchmark basket on a jump shot from the top of the key with 1:23 remaining in the first half of a game against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 27. With a little more than a season and a half to go in her career, the 6-3 forward has some time to climb up the ladder on KU’s all-time scoring list.
“I have always wanted to leave a legacy here at Kansas and I am hoping that I can continue that,” Davis explained.
The 6-3 forward will most certainly add to that legacy. Below is what some of Davis’ coaches and former teammates are saying about her milestone achievement.
KU Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson (four players have reached 1,000 points under her watch)
“Just look at the company she is in. If you were to see the names on the board in our locker room, you would understand how special this achievement is. What she did is a product of her being coachable and mature.”
Krysten Boogaard (former teammate and fellow member of the 1,000 point club)
“It is a great accomplishment for Carolyn as well as the program for her to reach 1,000 points. She is only a junior and has a lot more great opportunities ahead of her. What she did is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and players around her.”
Danielle McCray (former teammate and current WNBA player)
“When I first met Carolyn I knew she was headed in the right direction with her passion for the game. To hear that she has reached 1,000 points was not a surprise to me because she is capable of accomplishing so much with her abilities.”
Before Davis has a chance to make a run at Lynette Woodard’s all-time program record of 3,649 points, here is a quick glance at some of the company she now keeps.
No. 23 Tracey Claxton (1,024 pts) 1981-82
The only member on this list that scored 1,000 points with two different schools. Claxton amassed her totals during her freshman and sophomore years at KU, but then transferred to ODU, where she would tally another 1,999 points after her junior and senior seasons, leaving her with 2,999 for her career. She now is the head coach of the Hyde Leadership High School in Hamden, Conn.
No. 22 Carolyn Davis (1,040 pts*) 2010-present
Reached the 1,000-point plateau in her junior season, the same year she was named to the preseason Naismith, Wooden Award and Wade Trophy watch lists. The 6-3 forward averaged 15.1 points per game and 6.6 rebounds a game during her first two seasons in the Crimson and Blue and compiled nine double-doubles during her sophomore season, which led the team. Davis was named All-Big 12 First Team in 2011.
* 1,040 points and counting
No. 20 Krysten Boogaard (1,051 pts) 2008-11
Other than Davis, Boogaard is the most recent member of this exclusive club. She accomplished the benchmark toward the end of her senior season, while becoming only the second post player to amass the feet. The Regina, Saskatchewan native now plays professionally in Nice, France.
No. 14 Sade Morris (1,276 pts) 2006-2010
Morris reached the hallowed number a season after her teammate Danielle McCray did. The Norman, Okla., native currently ranks second in program history in minutes played (131) and was named to the 2009 WNIT Tournament team. She now plays professionally in Finland.
No. 13 Jaclyn Johnson (1,378 pts) 1998-01
Johnson is another player who went on to play professionally after reaching 1,000 points. The Burbank, Calif., product was drafted by the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle in 2001 and now plays professionally overseas. Johnson ranks fifth all-time in program history in rebounds, with her 846 boards.
No. 9 Charisse Sampson (1,568 pts) 1993-96
This KU guard scored 20 or more points in her career a total of 20 times, while starting every game of the 1994-95 season for legendary head coach Marian Washington. Sampson scored 34 points versus Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament, and took her game to the WNBA a year later, playing for the Seattle Storm, before retiring in 2001.
No. 7 Tamecka Dixon (1,689 pts) 1994-97
One of onlythreeKU women to have their jerseys retired in Allen Fieldhouse.Averaged 14.2 points for her career and 20.8 ppg during her senior season. She was named Big Eight Player of the Year her junior season as KU won its sixth conference title. Played in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks and won back-to-back championships with the franchise in 2001 and 2002.
No. 4 Danielle McCray (1,934 pts) 2007-10
Former teammate of Davis’ who plays in the WNBA for the Connecticut Sun. The Olathe, Kan., native averaged 16.7 points for her career and was given an All-America Honorable Mention by the Associated Press following her junior season in 2009. McCray started 23 games during her rookie season in the WNBA and helped guide her team to the playoffs.
No. 3 Angela Aycock (1,978 pts) 1992-95
Another Kansas woman whose jersey hangs in the Allen Fieldhouse rafters. Aycock was a 1995 Kodak All-American and the Big Eight Conference player of the year in 1994. Played three seasons in the WNBA for thePhoenix Mercury.
No. 2 Adrian Mitchell (2,124 pts) 1976-79
Only the second member of this exclusive club to amass 2,000 points for their career.Mitchell was the first Jayhawk to ever score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. She also managed to start every game she played in during her collegiate career. The Kansas City, Mo., native was a two-time All-Big Eight selection and was drafted by the Chicago Hustle of the now defunct WBL.
No.1 Lynette Woodard (3,649 pts) 1978-81
Set the golden standard for scoring at KU with her 3,649 career points. Woodard averaged 26.3 points per game during her four-year career and played professionally in Italy and Japan. She was also the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters and was an assistant on the KU coaching staff during three different occasions. The Wichita, Kan., native had her jersey retired by KU and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
