Chamique Holdsclaw - The Explorer
BASKETBALL - WNBA - SMALL FORWARD
ARCHETYPE: THE EXPLORER
Day 4/135
Athletic Accomplishments
You want to talk about an impressive résumé? Chamique Holdsclaw is a Women's Basketball Hall of Famer, whose credentials are undeniable:
All-time leading scorer and rebounder at Tennessee in men’s or women’s basketball
All-time leading scorer in SEC women’s basketball
3x NCAA National Championships (1996, 1997, 1998)
4x Kodak/WBCA All-American
2x Naismith Player of the Year
WNBA Rookie of the Year (1999)
6x WNBA All-Star
Won gold with USA Basketball (2000)
On paper, Holdsclaw is one of the best small forwards to ever walk the Earth. On the court, Holdsclaw was a prolific scorer and rebounder who could dominate in the post.
You did not want any with Chamique Holdsclaw.
But if all you did was talk about Holdsclaw's wins and accomplishments, you'd be missing the biggest part of the story. Because this woman is so much deeper and more dynamic than her stat lines could ever show you.
Character Archetype: The Explorer
If you only read about her Hall of Fame career, you might think Chamique Holdsclaw would fit The Ruler archetype. But you'd be missing the bigger story, which includes some unexpected trials and tribulations that better define her character and journey than basketball alone.
From 1999 to 2003, Holdsclaw's star was on the rise in the WNBA with her stat lines improving every year. But in 2004, she unexpectedly failed to show up for a game against Charlotte, then sat the bench for all but one game for the rest of the season. Then, just a few weeks into the 2007 season, Holdsclaw announced her retirement with no immediate explanation, before coming back to the W in 2008.
What would cause these inexplicable ups and downs for our main character, at the height of her game?
After her retirement in 2010, things didn't improve for Holdsclaw. In 2013, she was indicted on felony charges for aggravated assault, criminal damage, and possession of a firearm. It was after this event that Holdsclaw was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and decided that after keeping her struggles quiet for years, she ought to start speaking up and speaking out.
Today, Holdsclaw has become an advocate for mental health, sharing her story in speaking engagements and for documentaries. She even hosts Tremendous Upside, a podcast that invites athletes to talk about their own mental health challenges.