Chamique. Holdsclaw.

[lvocd]

Lady Vol ROYALTY. I get goosebumps when I recall Mique in her peak playing days.

But the pride I feel when I hear her name NOW, after all that she has obviously learned about the spiritual value of admitting one's fears and failings and then accepting that we are given the GIFT of responsibility for all of it, is profound.

Thank you, Chamique. And CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Your life has meant someting to so many and, well, that's a great thing. ❤️

Lady Vols: Chamique Holdsclaw on Women's Basketball Hall of Fame induction

 

[vol-un-tear]

One of my all time favorites! Would love to see her and Parker together in Orange. Hail to the Meek of Meeks!

 

[bballnut90]

Big congrats to her. Best collegiate player ever IMO. She’s often overlooked in the discussion since her pro career didn’t pan out as expected and she played 20 years ago, but she was simply unstoppable in college. Tennessee was far and away the most feared program when she was in Knoxville. Seems like she’s living a happy and productive life so I’m glad to see that. All the best to her.

 

[madtownvol]

Big congrats to her. Best collegiate player ever IMO. She’s often overlooked in the discussion since her pro career didn’t pan out as expected and she played 20 years ago, but she was simply unstoppable in college. Tennessee was far and away the most feared program when she was in Knoxville. Seems like she’s living a happy and productive life so I’m glad to see that. All the best to her.

The championship run she led during her sophomore year (the miracle season) was one of the most amazing performances I have seen in the women's game. She carried a seriously overmatched LV team (that had had a really subpar regular season) across 6 games to an NC. She really was Jordanesque. Then she got awesome help the next season for the LVs lone undefeated season.

You are right that her pro career never reached the lofty heights of her LV career but she was nonetheless, rookie of the year and a 6 time all-star. That is not a shabby run.

 

[bballnut90]

The championship run she led during her sophomore year (the miracle season) was one of the most amazing performances I have seen in the women's game. She carried a seriously overmatched LV team (that had had a really subpar regular season) across 6 games to an NC. She really was Jordanesque. Then she got awesome help the next season for the LVs lone undefeated season.

You are right that her pro career never reached the lofty heights of her LV career but she was nonetheless, rookie of the year and a 6 time all-star. That is not a shabby run.

I loved that run her sophomore year...she was sensational in the NCAA tournament and just took over the championship game. Got Tennessee out to a huge lead and once it all slipped away and she took over the last few minutes to seal the win. The 97 title game was a sloppy game on both sides, but boy was that one heck of an entertaining game.

 

[RollerVol]

Pat sure could pull the best out of the girls...Chamique had what has been missing from current teams lately...congrats to her...VFL....:salute:

GO LADY VOLS!

 

[lvocd]

The championship run she led during her sophomore year (the miracle season) was one of the most amazing performances I have seen in the women's game. She carried a seriously overmatched LV team (that had had a really subpar regular season) across 6 games to an NC. She really was Jordanesque. Then she got awesome help the next season for the LVs lone undefeated season.

You are right that her pro career never reached the lofty heights of her LV career but she was nonetheless, rookie of the year and a 6 time all-star. That is not a shabby run.

In order to give people who may not be aware of just how great Chamique was at Tennessee, I like to point out that she scored the vast majority of her 3,025 points the old-fashioned way: two at a time. She shot very few threes.

No, Mique was never one to hang around the perimeter until her teammates find her for an open three. Chamique's strength was her ability to move in such a way that it made whomever was attempting to defend her look kinda silly. Often. And she made it look deceptively EASY. Her movements were unlike any player I'd seen before or since.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT suggesting that perimeter-roaming three-point specialists aren't the ****e. I would give so much for Tennessee to have a few on its roster, and to know how to use them!!!!

I'm just saying that Chamique's Lady Vol record-holding points (and rebounds) took a tremendous amount of physical effort. Watching her find ways to score against defenses that were often focused on shutting her down was among the most satisfying things in my sports-watching memory.

And all this while she was likely already unknowingly suffering from depression. If the disease hadn't taken such a firm hold on her after college, I am 100 percent certain that her professional career would have been beyond compare. She was just that good.

P.S. Madtown, I know YOU know how great Chamique was! I just wanted to add on to your ending thoughts.

 

[MsSportsGuy]

She was a joy to watch during her time at UT. I honestly believe she had a better college career than Parker. It's true her professional career didn't match her college success, but I think people dismiss too quickly the fact she did quite well in the WNBA for years before she went MIA, asked to be traded, lost her grandmother and seemingly began to suffer the effects of her condition. Chamique may be one of Pat's greater accomplishments because she took a kid who had tremendous talent but also tremendous needs and helped guide and mold her into one of the greatest ever.

 

[stllvf]

her induction speech Chamique Holdsclaw WBHOF induction speech 2018 - YouTube

 

[bballnut90]

She was a joy to watch during her time at UT. I honestly believe she had a better college career than Parker. It's true her professional career didn't match her college success, but I think people dismiss too quickly the fact she did quite well in the WNBA for years before she went MIA, asked to be traded, lost her grandmother and seemingly began to suffer the effects of her condition. Chamique may be one of Pat's greater accomplishments because she took a kid who had tremendous talent but also tremendous needs and helped guide and mold her into one of the greatest ever.

Definitely better college career than Parker IMO. Best UT collegiate player ever without question. I love Candace and think she's exceptional, but I thought Mique was better than Parker skill for skill besides blocking shots and finishing with her left hand. Plus 3 titles and Tennessee was feared in a different way when she played for Pat compared to Tennessee being feared with Parker.

Chamique was a very good pro but could have had a different trajectory if she played for a different, more steady organization. She played for a zillion different coaches in Washington and her GMs didn't draft or manage the team well. In 2000 they drafted Tausha Mills at #2 (it was a weak class but still), 2001 in the loaded draft they picked Coco Miller, passing over Katie Douglas and Penny Taylor, and in 2002 they picked Stacey Dales-Schumann and Asjha Jones at 3/4 over Nikki Teasley. Dales-Schumann ended up retiring early, and Jones was a productive role player for 2 years before being traded for Tamicha Jackson and Asjha ended up having a great career at Connecticut. Jackson struggled at Washington and was only there for 1 full season.

 

[mlindsay]

Definitely better college career than Parker IMO. Best UT collegiate player ever without question. I love Candace and think she's exceptional, but I thought Mique was better than Parker skill for skill besides blocking shots and finishing with her left hand. Plus 3 titles and Tennessee was feared in a different way when she played for Pat compared to Tennessee being feared with Parker.

Chamique was a very good pro but could have had a different trajectory if she played for a different, more steady organization. She played for a zillion different coaches in Washington and her GMs didn't draft or manage the team well. In 2000 they drafted Tausha Mills at #2 (it was a weak class but still), 2001 in the loaded draft they picked Coco Miller, passing over Katie Douglas and Penny Taylor, and in 2002 they picked Stacey Dales-Schumann and Asjha Jones at 3/4 over Nikki Teasley. Dales-Schumann ended up retiring early, and Jones was a productive role player for 2 years before being traded for Tamicha Jackson and Asjha ended up having a great career at Connecticut. Jackson struggled at Washington and was only there for 1 full season.

I totally agree as a Mystics fan we made horrible draft and coaching decisions that played a role in the team being the way it is. I was pissed with our organization because we could've put far greater players around her which would've (imo) guaranteed her a WNBA title and imo a better WNBA career.

In 2000 we selected Tausha Mills #2 overall after already selecting Murriel Page from Florida who played the 4/5 with the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 98 draft and we grabbed Holdsclaw who could play the 3/4 with the #1 overall pick in 1999. We did not need Tausha Mills but because she was really young (youngest in the draft) and was dominant in college (folks called her the female Shaq) we selected her instead of picking Betty Lennox.

You nailed us passing on Penny Taylor and Katie Douglass for the weaker (imo) of the Miller Twins in 2001.

In 2002 we had the 2nd and 3rd Overall Pick and we passed on the Local kid (Nikki Teasley) and the 6'6" Michelle Snow for Dales-Schuman and Ashja Jones.

In 2003 we select Aiysha Smith instead of trading it for a veteran (we had offers for the picks and declined a few offers) There was no need for Smith as she played the 3/4 like Holdsclaw and was looking to start, she played 1 season and never returned.

In 2004 we selected who we should in Alana Beard. (We finally got it right although we really had no choice at #2 overall it was between her and Taurasi for the 1 and 2 spots)

We blew 3 drafts after Drafting Holdsclaw and it hurt her chances. Had we not passed on the players listed we would have been tough to beat. Messing up the drafts and the losing culture lead to her leaving the team before the 04 season and getting traded in 05 for Delisha-Milton Jones.

A Roster of Starters;

PG-Nikki Teasley
SG-Katie Douglas
SF-Chamique Holdsclaw
PF-Murriel Page
C-Michelle Snow


Bench:
Alana Beard and Temeka Johnson from LSU who we drafted in the first round after trading Holdsclaw to LA (she went on to win the 2005 Rookie of the year) along with a few signings would've been a tough team.

Oh well.

 

[NoBackBoard]

I totally agree as a Mystics fan we made horrible draft and coaching decisions that played a role in the team being the way it is. I was pissed with our organization because we could've put far greater players around her which would've (imo) guaranteed her a WNBA title and imo a better WNBA career.

In 2000 we selected Tausha Mills #2 overall after already selecting Murriel Page from Florida who played the 4/5 with the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 98 draft and we grabbed Holdsclaw who could play the 3/4 with the #1 overall pick in 1999. We did not need Tausha Mills but because she was really young (youngest in the draft) and was dominant in college (folks called her the female Shaq) we selected her instead of picking Betty Lennox.

You nailed us passing on Penny Taylor and Katie Douglass for the weaker (imo) of the Miller Twins in 2001.

In 2002 we had the 2nd and 3rd Overall Pick and we passed on the Local kid (Nikki Teasley) and the 6'6" Michelle Snow for Dales-Schuman and Ashja Jones.

In 2003 we select Aiysha Smith instead of trading it for a veteran (we had offers for the picks and declined a few offers) There was no need for Smith as she played the 3/4 like Holdsclaw and was looking to start, she played 1 season and never returned.

In 2004 we selected who we should in Alana Beard. (We finally got it right although we really had no choice at #2 overall it was between her and Taurasi for the 1 and 2 spots)

We blew 3 drafts after Drafting Holdsclaw and it hurt her chances. Had we not passed on the players listed we would have been tough to beat. Messing up the drafts and the losing culture lead to her leaving the team before the 04 season and getting traded in 05 for Delisha-Milton Jones.

A Roster of Starters;

PG-Nikki Teasley
SG-Katie Douglas
SF-Chamique Holdsclaw
PF-Murriel Page
C-Michelle Snow


Bench:
Alana Beard and Temeka Johnson from LSU who we drafted in the first round after trading Holdsclaw to LA (she went on to win the 2005 Rookie of the year) along with a few signings would've been a tough team.

Oh well.

Tausha Mills...I haven’t heard that name in ages. I recall she was physical and spirited on the court. I had high hopes for her but it was nice just thinking of her game.

I agree with everything you said about the Mystics (I always disliked that name btw). Holdsclaw would have seen more success on the court if management surrounded her with more skilled players. She was always a joy to watch though, despite her supporting cast. I loved watching her work in the open court. So silky smooth yet deliberate. She always seemed to know exactly where she wanted to go and would give you your money’s worth as you watched her getting there. She had the “it” factor of the greats.

I was really rooting for her during the 2002 season. Holdsclaw was averaging close to 20 points and 12 rebounds. It was her best chance at playing in the finals—she never reached a WNBA Finals in her career. The Mystics had just swept the Charlotte Sting, defending Eastern Conference Champs, and were locked at 1-1 in the ECF with the Liberty. I don’t remember all the details but I looked online and the Liberty won 64-57 to clinch the series 2-1 at home. Holdsclaw scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half.