Atlanta, GA (Betting Express) - Chamique Holdsclaw is returning to the WNBA following a two-year absence after the Atlanta Dream acquired the rights to the former University of Tennessee star from the Los Angeles Sparks Wednesday for the 13th overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

A six-time league All-Star and Rookie of the Year in 1999, Holdsclaw shockingly announced her retirement in June of 2007 -- just five games into the season despite leading the team with 15.8 points per game -- and pursued an overseas hoops career.

Holdsclaw, though, felt the itch to get back to her professional basketball roots.

"Coming back has been something that I have been thinking about for a while," Holdsclaw stated in a release from the Dream. "The only thing that was holding me back was my body and being healthy. I realized that if I had the chance I would like to play this summer."

The 31-year-old Holdsclaw last played in the league for Los Angeles and spent six seasons with Washington after the Mystics made her the top overall pick in the 1999 draft. She averaged 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists during her WNBA career.

During her time with the Lady Vols, Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three straight NCAA championships, and finished her career as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder (male or female) with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds. She was only the sixth women's basketball player in NCAA history to reach 3,000 points at the time and is one of only seven currently.

However, problems followed Holdsclaw at Washington in 2004. It was during that season she suffered from depression and left the team in July when the Mystics were in a playoff run. She later told the Washington Post she was under the care of a psychiatrist, and at the time considered retirement.

Holdsclaw was traded to Los Angeles on March 21, 2005 in exchange for DeLisha Milton-Jones. Holdsclaw also took a two-week leave of absence from the Sparks in May 2006 for personal reasons.