The depression Chamique Holdsclaw battled throughout her WBNA career was probably the biggest role in her decision to retire from professional basketball, her college coach, Tennessee's Pat Summitt, said.
Holdsclaw, a six-time WNBA All-Star, shocked fans and her team, the Los Angeles Sparks when she decided to retire in June after playing five games in the 2007 season. Holdsclaw didn't give a reason for her retirement although she had earlier acknowledged bouts with depression.
Summitt said Holdsclaw first told her she was considering retirement while she was playing with the Washington Mystics. Summitt, who has worked as a consultant for the Mystics, flew to Washington "as a coach and a friend" and spent time with Holdsclaw.
"I said, "OK, you've got a game tomorrow. Let's just go play and see how you feel. If it's not in your heart, then you'll know,"' Summitt said at a Tennessee alumni event in Nashville on Thursday. "She told me after that game, "Coach, it's just not in my heart."'
Holdsclaw left Washington and played for a while in Valencia, Spain, returning to the U.S. in 2005 with a renewed desire to play in the WBNA and the Sparks as a new team.
She later said she left the Mystics because depression caused her to become increasingly withdrawn from her team, coaches and confidantes.
Summitt said Holdsclaw hasn't decided on what to do in the future but for now is enjoying life and not being in a routine.
"She just feels like it's best for her not to play if she can't bring it all every night," she said.
Holdsclaw was the WNBA's No. 1 overall pick in 1999 after leading Tennessee to three straight NCAA titles.
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