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FORMER LADY VOL HOLDSCLAW STUNS SPARKS BY RETIRING
June 11, 2007 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Los Angeles Sparks forward Chamique Holdsclaw, a six-time All-Star in the WNBA and the league Rookie of the Year in 1999, shockingly announced her retirement on Monday. The 29-year-old Holdsclaw, the most prolific scorer in University of Tennessee history, joined the Sparks in 2005, and before then played six seasons for the Washington Mystics. She averaged 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists during her WNBA career. Holdsclaw gave no reason for her decision to retire. "This was not an easy decision," Holdsclaw said. "I put a lot of thought into it. I am very grateful for the career I have enjoyed in amateur and professional basketball and will take many fond memories with me. What I will miss most are my teammates and the great friendships I have developed through the years and the fans from arena to arena that have supported me. I want to wish the Sparks great success this season and in the years ahead." Holdsclaw called it quits five games into the 2007 season, despite currently leading the team at 15.8 points per game. "We will miss Chamique in many ways," Sparks head coach Michael Cooper said. "It won't be easy, but we will go on without her." During her time with the Lady Vols, Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three straight NCAA championships, and is the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder (male or female) with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds. She was only the fifth women's basketball player in NCAA history to reach 3,000 points. However, problems followed Holdsclaw at Washington in 2004. It was during that season she suffered from depression and left the team in July when the Mystics were in a playoff run. She later told the Washington Post she was under the care of a psychiatrist, and at the time considered retirement. The top overall pick in 1999, Holdsclaw was traded to Los Angeles on March 21, 2005 in exchange for DeLisha Milton-Jones. Holdsclaw also took a two-week leave of absence from the Sparks in May 2006 for personal reasons.
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