WNBA PUTS FAITH IN NO. 1 HOLDSCLAW.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. In Chamique Holdsclaw Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw (born August 9, 1977 in Astoria, Queens, New York) is a former professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She announced her retirement from the Los Angeles Sparks on June 11, 2007. , the WNBA WNBA Women's National Basketball Association WNBA World Ninepin Bowling Association WNBA Wannabe Nasty Boys Association WNBA Women's National Book Association, Inc. WNBA Warszawski Nurt Basketu Amatorskiego just might have its version of Michael Jordan. Holdsclaw, a four-time All-American who led Tennessee to three consecutive national titles, was the No. 1 pick by the Washington Mystics in Tuesday's WNBA draft. ``She's the player of the present and the player of the future for our league,'' WNBA president Val Ackerman said. ``Her eventual appeal could rival what Michael Jordan was able to do over his long career. ``She'll have an appeal that players in our league haven't quite had yet in terms of reaching a new group of fans.'' Holdsclaw, a two-time national Player of the Year, was selected first even though pro players from the defunct American Basketball League American Basketball League is a name that has been used by three defunct basketball leagues in the United States:
While the 6-foot-2 star goes to a team that was 3-27 last season, she is expected to immediately turn around the Mystics. Holdsclaw averaged 21 points and 8 rebounds last season for the Vols, who were upset by Duke in the NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association regional finals in March. Former ABL player Yolanda Griffith was the No. 2 pick, going to the Sacramento Monarchs. Utah then chose center Natalie Williams, an All-American in basketball and volleyball at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . Williams, the ABL's Player of the Year in '98, averaged 21 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Seventy percent of the 50 drafted players were from the former WNBA rival ABL. The draft was postponed a week because of a labor dispute between the players and league. The league and players union agreed to allow three ABL players on each of the 10 established teams and five each on the expansion teams in Minnesota and Orlando. The 12-team WNBA begins its third 10-week season on June 10. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO WILLIAMS |
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