As we enter the 1999-2000 season, one thing is for certain: With Chamique Holdsclaw in the WNBA, someone else is going to have to win the Player of the Year award.
So, we asked our ESPN experts which player would fill Holdsclaw's shoes -- and the bill as the best women's college basketball player in the country -- in the new season.
The members of our panel were pretty quick to form a consensus, and it turns out another Meek link will again carry Tennessee -- and the label as the best of the best.
Here's what the experts said:
Jay Bilas |
Tamika Catchings | Tennessee | Junior | Forward | 6-1
With all due respect to Maylana Martin of UCLA, Lynn Pride of Kansas and Svetlana Abrosimova of Connecticut, Catchings is a warrior on the court who has the chance to be the best all-around player in the college game this season. She has the ability to impact the game with her scoring and defense, and should blossom now that Chamique Holdsclaw is in the WNBA. | |
Mimi Griffin |
Tamika Catchings | Tennessee | Junior | Forward | 6-1
With Chamique Holdsclaw around the past two years, Tamika was an integral part of the team, yet played a secondary role. But it's her team now, and this season, Tamika will explode and play even better than she did as a freshman, her best season so far. Although she was hesitant to take the outside shot last season, despite being one of the country's top outside shooters the year before, will be a scoring threat from all over the court. With added experience and maturity, Tamika has more of a complete game now, and has the tools to be even better than Holdsclaw. Whereas Chamique was hesitant to mix it up inside, Tamika's frame allows her to play in the paint. She doesn't shy away from contact at all, and yet, she still has the ability to shoot a soft jumper. She's interchangable and versatile. She has the shooting touch of a guard and yet the physical stature of a post player. | |
Beth Mowins |
Tamika Catchings | Tennessee | Junior | Forward | 6-1
The best player in the land is still one of "The Three Meeks," with the title switching from Chamique Holdsclaw to Catchings. Catchings can be physical or play with finesse that few possess. She has big-time moves in the paint and can take the 15-footer if left alone on the perimeter. She has the size to defend just about anyone on the court and the speed to run the floor ahead of the pack. The post-Chamique era in Knoxville is in good hands with Tamika leading the team. | |
Robin Roberts |
Tamika Catchings | Tennessee | Junior | Forward | 6-1
Catchings is the most exciting player in the women's game right now, and she's only going to get better. She has an incredible work ethic and skill level; she can stop, pop, hit the 3 and take it down low. She is also tenacious on defense and is just a complete player who adds so much to Tennessee. I can't wait to see her as a pro. | |
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Tamika Catchings Catchings drives coast to coast for the layup.
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