Holdsclaw, Chamique (1977–)

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Holdsclaw, Chamique (1977–)

African-American basketball player. Name variations: (nicknames) Meke; the Claw. Born Aug 9, 1977, in Astoria, Queens, NY; graduate of University of Tennessee, 1999, with a major in political science.

Forward; as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Tennessee basketball history, led Tennessee Lady Vols to 3 NCAA championships (1996–98) and placed 3rd on NCAA all-time women's basketball scoring list; selected by Washington Mystics of WNBA as 1st overall pick (1999); won a team gold medal at Sydney Olympics (2000). Was the 1st woman college athlete to win the James E. Sullivan Award; was 4-time All-American, 2-time ESPY award winner, 2-time Associated Press Women's Basketball Player of the Year, and 2-time Naismith award winner; named WNBA Rookie of the Year (1999).