KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- If Tennessee ever has another
player like Chamique Holdsclaw, she won't get to wear
Number "23".<br><br>The Vols retired Holdsclaw's jersey
Thursday during halftime of a victory over Connecticut.
Her number is only the fourth retired at
Tennessee.<br><br>"All this success I've encountered makes me want to
cry," Holdsclaw said after she was presented with a
framed jersey at midcourt. The crowd stood and cheered
and indoor fireworks went off as she was
announced.<br><br>Holdsclaw became Tennessee's all-time leading scorer (3,025
points) and rebounder (1,295 rebounds) while leading the
Lady Vols to three national championships in 1996,
1997 and 1998.<br><br>A four-time All-America and
two-time National Player of the Year, Holdsclaw was named
the Naismith Player of the Century.<br><br>An entire
page in the media guide is devoted to the long list of
honors she was awarded when she was a freshman in 1995
to her senior year in 1999.<br><br>She now plays for
the WNBA's Washington Mystics and was a member of the
gold medal U.S. Olympic team. Holdsclaw has remained a
revered player in the hearts of fans and frequently
attends Tennessee games.<br><br>"I choked up -- I shed a
tear," Holdsclaw said after the game. "I know how much
this program means to me. This team has supported
me."<br><br>Holdsclaw's grandmother, June, and mother, Bonita, also
attended the game and joined in the halftime ceremony with
coach Pat Summitt.<br><br>The Vols were ahead 45-44 at
halftime and went on to beat their rivals
92-88.<br><br>"It made me wish I was back. It was a long game,"
Holdsclaw said. "I know that since Tamika (Catchings) was
hurt, people have been saying that Tennessee was not
that good, but I've still defended this
team."<br><br>Tennessee has also retired No. 22 worn by Holly Warlick, a
current assistant coach, No. 30 worn by Bridgette Gordon
and No. 32 worn by Daedra Charles.<br><br>Another Vol
standout and Olympian, Nikki McCray, also wore No. 23.