THE SIDELINES : Kansas Coach to Play in Italy

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lynette Woodard, a part-time assistant coach for the University of Kansas women’s basketball team and a former basketball star, said today that she will return to Italy to play professional basketball.

Woodard requested a leave of absence from Coach Marian Washington’s staff effective Friday and lasting through May to play for a team in Bari, Italy.

“We certainly are supportive of Lynette’s opportunity to return to Europe,” Washington said. “We’ll be anxious to get her back on our staff in May. She’s been a tremendous asset to our program.”

Woodard returned to Kansas after playing two years with the professional team in Priolo, Italy, which she led to the Italian national championship last season.