In the 20 days leading up to the 20th annual WNBA Draft, WNBA.com and @WNBA are highlighting the first 19 No. 1 overall picks and their place in league history. Our 20-day countdown continues with Chamique Holdsclaw, the first selection in the 1999 WNBA Draft.

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With the first pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft, the Washington Mystics selected forward Chamique Holdsclaw, one of the most decorated high school and collegiate basketball players in the history of the women’s game.

Holdsclaw was a four-time All-American at Tennessee, where she led the Lady Vols to three national championships under legendary coach Pat Summitt. Upon her arrival in the WNBA, she made an immediate impact, becoming the first No. 1 pick to be named Rookie of the Year and was named a starter in the WNBA’s inaugural All-Star Game.

In 2002, she became the first player to ever lead the league in both scoring (19.9 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg). That accomplishment has only been matched by one player – Lauren Jackson – who will be featured soon in this series.

After spending the first five seasons of her WNBA career with the Mystics, Holdsclaw played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream and San Antonio Silver Stars before ending her WNBA career in 2010. The six-time All-Star ranks 19th all-time in points scored (4,716) and 12th in scoring average (16.9). She also ranks 14th all-time in rebounds (2,216) ad 11th in rebound average (7.6).

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