Chamique: My Story

by Chamique Holdsclaw

One of the stars of American women's basketball traces her life and athletic career from her early years in a Queens housing project through her preparations for the 2000 Olympic games.

Genres: Basketball, Biography

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Angelica LeMinh · Rating 3 out of 5]

You get the quarantine books that you deserve? I'm sure I'm not the only one contemplating this exact collection of library books that I happened to have collected before the quarantine stopped us all. I called this one in because the hold was going to expire, and I immediately got the impression that it was not the book I thought it was.

I checked the publishing date a few times-it was 2000, which put it too early to be the one that I heard her talk about on the Hang Time podcast in 2010. It was an interesting look at her young life and debut nonetheless, and a great review of her rise and the expectations put upon her young shoulders. I admit that this was during my "lost years" of basketball, as I was freelancing and frolicking in Montreal et al. and not really following any ball on any more of a peripheral basis.

When I landed back in a city that had a team, that all changed, including the addition to bball podcasts to my experience, and hence, the holding of what I thought was the other book. It's interesting to think about Michael Jordan coming to play her one on one, Michael Bivens making sure she had enough music to stay entertained through her injury, and to know that she's a sister in hygiene-it feels ominous now to think that she was considered rude if she didn't want to shake hands with people in the middle of her meal at restaurants, but a) that's such a gross violation of privacy and b) WASH YOUR HANDS! Maybe now, post 'Rona, we'll finally understand that directive.

Obviously, it would've been more interesting to hear about her coming into her queer identity, navigating that in the context of the WNBA, hearing if she was also romanced by Russian oligarchs, and hearing about her honest struggles with mental health and becoming an advocate and spokesperson, along with Rasheed Wallace, for talk therapy and healthy outlets.

It's clear how much her grandmother meant to her, and makes perfect sense to me that she would've had difficult times after her passing. I hope that she is at peace now and appreciate this proof of her trailblazing path.

[Jeff Wait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir. Cool to see the parallels between her journey and that of Kobe and Caitlin Clark. Just tons of hype and this is a neat look behind the curtain. Lots of good advice and anecdotes from a real hooper.

[Kayla Williams-Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography was very good and was very easy to connect and understand. Chamique shared her journey from a rough new york neighborhood to being a Lady Vol. The book also shows how much of a inspiration her grandmother was to her. Chamique loved her family and loved basketball and those were two big parts of her life.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly disappointing. Reads like a diary, but comes off sort of whiny. While grumbling is not likely her intent, I believe Chamique should have waited a little later in her life to write a book. She has accomplished so much since the publication of this book. Perhaps that may have helped iron out what seems like immature writing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells of the difficult life struggles of Chamique Holdsclaw, the great Lady Vols basketball player. I learned a lot about the challenges that she had to overcome to get where she is today and about how important her grandmother has been in her life.

[Blakely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I really liked this book because I grew up watching Chamique at Tennessee. Easy read and a feel good bio.