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Photographic Memory: Chamique Holdsclaw

WNBA.com's "Photographic Memory" asks players to look at a photo of themselves and talk about what it captures -- what was going through their mind at that moment of the game and what the photo reveals about their style. Here, Washington Mystics forward Chamique Holdsclaw talks about battling a defender on a fast-break layup as well as the various injuries she has battled the last few seasons.


Washington Mystics forward Chamique Holdsclaw finishes a fast-break layup.
Jeff Reinking/WNBAE/Getty Images

When I see this picture, I know that I was on a break and there was someone right next to me because whenever I take a layup and I think somebody's going to hit me, my hand is always kind of out there to protect myself. I see a strong a focus and know that I am trying to make the shot. I see athleticism and an athletic body. I see fans' anticipation because everybody's standing up, kind of seeing what's going on and whether or not I'm going to make it.

Do you remember if you made that basket?
I think I did. I remember it. It was in Seattle, and I can remember because I was getting chased down, my teammate actually passed it in traffic as I was going up, and I thought I was going to take a hit, so I was kind of getting ready for it, but she kind of slid under me.

Playing with the sleeve on your leg, do you notice that during the game?
Oh, definitely. My hamstring's still pretty tender, and the sleeve, even though it's a nice, smooth fabric, you can kind of tell because it comes up so high on my thigh, it kind of makes my shorts look really stuffed and my leg look really big.

Having battled injuries the last couple of years, how much is that on your mind as you're playing?
I just try and go out there and stay focused and do what I have to do. I haven't had the best of luck, and I've actually come back from a hamstring injury and I reinjured it. But I am always thinking. There are some things I know that I can't do, but I'm a really creative and athletic player, so half the time, I think, "Ok, Chamique, you have to ease into things, you can't just start here and try to be fast and be explosive." Right now, my mind may think I can do something, but my body can't it.

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