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Chamique HoldsclawAmerican professional basketball player
Date of Birth: 09.08.1977
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Chamique Holdsclaw
Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw, an American professional basketball player, is a member of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She currently plays for the San Antonio Silver Stars. On June 11, 2007, she announced her departure from the Los Angeles Sparks. Holdsclaw joined the Atlanta Dream in 2009.
Early Life and Education
Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw was born on August 9, 1977, in Astoria, Queens, New York. She began playing basketball in her childhood and was a member of her school's basketball team. Her exceptional talent helped the team secure four consecutive trips to the New York State Championship. The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named Holdsclaw the best high school basketball player in America. She participated in the WBCA-sponsored high school tournament in 1995.
From 1995 to 1999, Holdsclaw played basketball for the University of Tennessee under the guidance of coach Pat Summitt. She played a pivotal role in leading her college team, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, to three consecutive NCAA Women's Championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Holdsclaw earned the prestigious title of "Kodak Player of the Year" during her university career, becoming one of only six basketball players to receive this honor. She completed her college career with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds, making her the highest-scoring student-athlete in the history of the University of Tennessee. She also became the fifth female basketball player in NCAA history to score over 3,000 points.
Professional Career
Holdsclaw was selected as the first overall pick by the Washington Mystics in the 1999 WNBA Draft. She was named "Rookie of the Year" in her debut season and went on to represent the United States in the Olympic Games, bringing home a gold medal. In the following seasons, Holdsclaw continued to improve her performance. However, she missed several games and the entire playoffs in 2004 due to injuries. She joined the Los Angeles Sparks on March 21, 2005. In May 2006, Holdsclaw took a two-week break from basketball due to her father's illness. On June 11, 2007, she surprised everyone by announcing her departure from the WNBA without providing any explanation.
After a hiatus, Holdsclaw returned to the basketball court in 2009, representing the Atlanta Dream. Although she nearly regained her previous form and participated in most of her new team's games, she still missed some matches due to injuries. In the playoffs, Holdsclaw played against the Detroit Shock, but her team was defeated. On May 9, 2010, she officially left the Atlanta Dream and signed a contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars two days later.
In Holdsclaw's autobiography, "Breaking Through: Beating the Odds Shot after Shot," she reveals that she struggled with depression during her professional basketball career and even attempted suicide at one point. On November 15, 2012, the Atlanta police issued an arrest warrant for Holdsclaw after she allegedly attacked her former girlfriend's Range Rover with a baseball bat and fired a gun at the vehicle before fleeing the scene. Another source claims that Holdsclaw threw a brick through the car window. The owner of the Range Rover, WNBA player Jennifer Lacy, referred to her former partner as "mentally unstable" but was unharmed. On January 27, 2013, Holdsclaw was charged with aggravated assault, criminal damage, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. She was released on bail set at $100,000, and the trial date is still unknown.
