Collegiate women's basketball has become a true impact sport in the NCAA, with the women's NCAA Basketball Tournament becoming nearly as popular as the men's big dance.
The WNBA has given a big assist to the sport because now the college basketball ladies also have a pro league to further their basketball careers after college.
There is little doubt that when it comes to NCAA Division 1 women's basketball that the Southeastern Conference is at the forefront when it comes to big time basketball programs producing big time basketball players. And while there are a number of big time programs in the SEC, there is no doubt that the University of Tennessee is the biggest. While the Lady Vols have produced a tremendous number of top level players, none compare to the fabulous Chamique Holdsclaw. She was the best of the best. The best all-time women's college basketball player.
Chamique Holdsclaw attended the University of Tennessee from 19995 until the year 1998, and played 4 full seasons for the Tennessee Lady Vols. Prior to attending UT, Holdsclaw was a product of the New York City public schools before attending Christ the King Regional High School in Queens, New York. While at Christ the King, Holdsclaw was a standout player, and from there, drew the attention of University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt who offered her a scholarship to play with the Lady Vols.
While at UT, Holdsclaw led the Lady Vols to a remarkable run during her 4 seasons. On a big picture scale, she led her team to 3 consecutive Women's College Basketball Championships, in 1996, 1997, and 1998. The 1998 season, in fact, amounted to probably the finest season ever played in the history of all collegiate sports. That UT team went 39-0 en route to a perfect season.
In addition to that track record of national success, Holdsclaw's Lady Vols squads also amassed a tremendous amount of Southeastern Conference success during her tenure as well. She led the Lady Vols to two SEC regular season titles, in 1998 and 1999, and to 3 SEC tournament titles, in 1996, 1998, and 1999.
As far as individual honors, Holdsclaw has amassed a closet full of them. She was named a Kodak All American in each of her 4 seasons, is a 2 time winner of the Nesmith Award for the best collegiate women's basketball player in America (awards won in 1998 and 1999), and won the Sullivan Award in 1998, her senior season.
Overall, she finished her career at the University of Tennessee with
all-time top records in the history of the Southeastern Conference in
both scoring, with a total of 3,025 points, as well as in rebounding,
pulling down 1,295 total rebounds in her career at UT. She also holds
all-time top conference records in NCAA Tournament history in the same 2
categories, with 470 points and 197 rebounds respectively.
After
being drafted by the Washington Mystics as the number 1 overall pick in
the 1998 WNBA Draft, Holdsclaw went on to have a very successful,
albeit slightly shorter than expected, post-Vols career. Following a
successful rookie season in which she averaged nearly 17 points and just
under 8 rebounds per game, she went on to earn a gold medal in the 2000
Olympic Games.
Holdsclaw's subsequent WNBA seasons were even
more successful, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds in 2002 and 2003.
However, despite her success on the court, the remainder of her career
was hampered by the depression that she had battled for much of her
life. Eventually, she would retire from the game in 2007. However, her
seemingly premature retirement in no way overshadows what was otherwise a
tremendous career.
Yep, we pick Chamique Holdsclaw as the best all-time women's college basketball player.
If you like this article, you should also check out the following pages:
We'd love to hear your comments and/or opinions. If you submit them here, other visitors can read them, rate them and comment on them. An e-mail address is not required.
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Second to...
What about Connecticut? All of the feats that you've mentioned also go to Connecticut. From three-peats to undefeated season - I think Connecticut and …
What about.................? Not rated yet
You left out the most decorated player EVER from the SEC in Semoine Augustus. Look at her bio which is second to none while she played at LSU.
Not True Not rated yet
Up Connecticut way, you had a ball player so great she was recognized by saying a single letter of the alphabet . . . D
Alabama Women's Basketball | Arkansas Women's Basketball | Auburn Women's Basketball | Florida Women's Basketball | Georgia Women's Basketball | Kentucky Women's Basketball | LSU Women's Basketball | Mississippi State Women's Basketball | Ole Miss Women's Basketball | South Carolina Women's Basketball | Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball | Vanderbilt Women's Basketball
From Best All-Time Women's College Basketball Player to SEC Women's Basketball | SEC Sports Blog | SEC Football | SEC Football Blog | SEC Basketball | SEC Basketball Blog | SEC Baseball | SEC Track and Field | SEC Swimming and Diving | SEC Tennis | SEC Golf | SEC Gymnastics | SEC Soccer | SEC Softball | SEC Volleyball | Best College Sports Conference | SEC Football Bowl History | BCS Controversy | SEC vs Big Ten Debate | SEC Sports News | Current SEC Sports News | SEC Sports Pictures and Videos | SEC Sports Fan Forum | College Sports Blogs | College Football Association | SEC Sports Fan Trips | College Sports Gift | Fathead | College Sports Tailgate Party Shop | College Sports Merchandise | College Sports Apparel | SEC Sports Fan Store | SEC Football Tickets |
About Us | Contact Us | Site Search | Advertise | Terms of Use |
New! Facebook Comments
Leave a comment about this article in the box below and share it with your Facebook friends.