TOUCH DOWN FEW MINUTES AGO: Tennessee Lady Volunteers Welcome Back Iconic Star Guard Chamique Holdsclaw to the Lady Vols Women’s Basketball as New…..
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Lady Volunteers have officially welcomed back one of their greatest legends, Chamique Holdsclaw, to their women’s basketball program. Holdsclaw, who led the Lady Vols to three consecutive national championships from 1996 to 1998 under the late, legendary coach Pat Summitt, is returning as an assistant coach to help guide the next generation of talent in Knoxville.
The announcement, made just minutes ago, has sent waves of excitement through the Tennessee fanbase. Holdsclaw, a six-time WNBA All-Star and one of the most decorated players in college basketball history, is expected to bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion to the coaching staff.
“Chamique embodies everything the Lady Vols stand for—excellence, resilience, and the will to win,” said head coach Kellie Harper in a statement. “Her impact on this program as a player was monumental, and now she’ll have the opportunity to inspire and develop our players in a new way.”
Holdsclaw’s return to Knoxville is deeply personal. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft has always credited her time at Tennessee as life-changing, both on and off the court. After a storied career in the WNBA and overseas, she has been an advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to inspire and educate others about the challenges athletes face beyond the game.
“It feels like coming home,” Holdsclaw said upon arriving on campus. “The Lady Vols shaped me into the person I am today, and I’m honored to be back, this time to help these young women reach their full potential—both as athletes and as people.”
Her return couldn’t come at a better time. The Lady Vols are looking to build on their recent successes and reestablish themselves as perennial national championship contenders. With Holdsclaw on the bench, Tennessee gains not only a basketball mind with championship experience but also a mentor who understands the pressures of elite competition.
Lady Vols fans, alumni, and former teammates have already taken to social media to celebrate Holdsclaw’s homecoming, with many calling it a “full-circle moment” for one of the program’s all-time greats.
As Holdsclaw steps back onto the court at Thompson-Boling Arena—not as a player, but as a coach—one thing is certain: Tennessee just got stronger.
