Congrats Teresa Edwards on being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Tonight the Naismith Hall of Fame will induct the best guard that I’ve ever played with in my professional career and that is T  Teresa Edwards. I first remember T when she was a guest speaker at an AAU tournament I played in. She said in her speech with her gold medals wrapped around her neck that it doesn’t matter if you come from a small town as she did,  you can still reach your dreams. That really stuck with me because I had big dreams and I was also from a small town.

I got a chance to play with her my first year pro in the ABL with the Philadelphia Rage. T Teresa Edwards took me under her wing and always taught me the little things that could help me be a better player. In practice I would just watch as T shut down anybody she guarded. T was just as persistent on offense as she was on defense. She was a workaholic and the  passion and energy she played showed each and ever game.  Playing with T was the first time I had met someone that hated to lose more than me.

In practice and games I often caught myself watching her and even though she was doing everything on the court she would catch me and say “YO Baby Steps (her nickname for me) Wake UP!” I used to get picked on by the other rookies on the team because T was always pulling me to the side to get on me or tell me little things. I remember she had me on the sideline one day just  trying to get me to  make harder and more crisp passes. She taught me that my follow through on my passing was just as important on my shot.  T stayed on me and taught me alot and I know I became a better player for it.

I’m excited to see her get inducted tonight and it was a blessing to play with her.  The media has been saying her name is one of the lesser known names to be inducted tonight  but for me it’s the most well known. Teresa Edwards set the standard for women’s basketball she was one of the most fierce players to ever play the game and an even better leader. Congrats T Edwards!

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Waiting on what’s next….

The last two weeks I have been in a place that I wasn’t at all too prepared for. I came into my 13th WNBA season healthy and ready to go with the Washington Mystics but before I knew it I  was no longer a player for the Mystics.

The Mystics decided that they wanted to go younger and we mutually agreed to part ways. Of course naturally I was really down about what happened but fortunately for me my sister was getting married the very next day and I was really happy to see her so happy on her special day as I stood next to her as her Maid of Honor.

My sister's big day helped me get through a trying moment. She was beautiful and it was a beautiful weekend.

Now after praying and giving everything over to God I am at peace and ready for a great summer “what ever come what may”.

I’m still in great shape and I have no serious injuries and hopefully I will continue to play  basketball this summer. Thanks  to everyone who has sent an email, text or phone call to check up on me and see how I’m doing.   I’ve been spending the time working out and and patiently waiting for whats next and of course watching the game I love . .

I also want to send a shout out to the Mystics Fans and all my other fans as well. Thank you all for your continued support. You guys are the best and hopefully you haven’t seen the last of me!

To everyone else wondering what my next move will be I’ll keep you posted! (no pun intended) . Since I’m not playing with any team right now.  Go Heat! :) I love this game!

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Margo Dydek gone to soon…..

There I am laying across my Big Polska Sister she has her arm draped around me. She was just the best. Margo was the best.

Many of you may have seen my prayer blog earlier for Margo Dydek. She was in  a coma after suffering a heart attack and I prayed and hoped that she would recover. Last night I received the news that she is no longer with us.  When I heard the news I was devastated.  I call my parents and cried like a baby.  I probably shocked them because that was the first time they realized  just how special she was to me. I along with  so many of my other Polska sisters and fellow players thought Margo would come out of this. We had faith but  God had other plans and maybe it was her time. I’m so sad writing this blog and I’m so sad for Margo’s family right now.

I’m sure everyone that cared for Margo is upset right now. I’ve already received emails and text and no one understands why she is gone. She has just gone to soon. My prayers go out to my Polska sisters and to her family as it is a very sad day for them.  I believe  Margo is in a more peaceful place and now she can go on and rest after giving so much of herself.  Margo may have left us in the physical but she will remain forever with us in spirit. I know I will keep the memories of her close to my  heart. I will cherish memories of my Big Polska sister for a lifetime.  I love her and I will miss her.  I’m so glad to have spent two great seasons with her in Gydnia Poland. She definitely made the world a better place. One of my close friends told me in times like this just remember the good times and that’s how I plan to make it through the day.  I also realized even in the bleakest of times you can find something positive. Margo may be gone but her  spirit will forever live through her two children and her legacy will continue on. I love you Margo, I will miss you and I just can’t believe your gone.. Your gone way to soon..

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WNBA Inspiring Women’s Luncheon..

Yesterday I was able to attend the WNBA aspiring women’s luncheon in NYC.  Katie Couric received the WNBA Inspiring Women’s Award. She gave a great acceptance speech that made you inspried, motivated you, encouraged you, and made you laugh.. She made the crowd laugh as she quoted the words from the song  I’m every woman. She bragged on being a feminist and then joked that all the men in the crowd are ready to puke right now…Okay okay you had to be there  either way it was one of those speeches that have you eating every word. I didn’t get a chance to take a picture with her because after she took her picture with Lisa Leslie she didn’t like feeling so short. So she asked to take a picture with two of the shortest players and the toughest grimest  players. Since it was New York and my team the Washington Mystics they chose Leilani Mitchell and Ashley Houts.

It was cool she chose players just like her gritty, short and determined to beat the naysayers. She has made brillant strides in the male dominating news industry and in her speech she gave shout outs to Leilani and Ashley saying they could get together sometime and do a 3 woman weave. She was very deserving of the award and her acceptance speech left me inspired.  Even though I didn’t get my picture with her,  I didn’t leave the Luncheon empty handed. Katie gave everyone at the event a free copy of her book “The Best Advice I Ever Got” Lessons from Extraordinary Lives.

Katie was able to get different celebrities to send her some of the best advice they have ever received. Some of the featured celebs are Maya Angelou, Sheryl Crow, Tyra Banks, Suze Orman, Tavis Smiley, Larry King and the list goes on and on.  Katie inspired me even more when she announced that  all of the proceeds from her book go directly to fund Colon Cancer Research. Katie lost her husband to Colon Cancer and has been an advocate for it every since. So if you want to get daily motivation or just need a positive word for the day you should go get this book. One of the Celebs best advice were be ready for your opportunity. I may have slipped up at this event but when I had my opportunity before I got it. So check out my picture with Katie Couric from another event. Maybe that’s why I let her off the hook this time I mean she still looks exactly the same.

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My Prayer for Margo

Margo the 2nd on the left always has everyone laughing.

This week I found out that my Polska sister Margo Dydek had a heart attack and is in a coma. This has bothered me all week long and she has been in my thoughts and prayers heavily this week. I played two great seasons with her in Gydnia Poland for Lotos and she made me feel right at home in Poland. She was just like a big sister to me  and it saddens me that this has happened to her. Margo is not just a great basketball player but she is an even better person. There is no one that hasn’t come in contact with Margo that doesn’t enjoy being around her. I remember hanging out with Margo in Poland and at 7’2″ she was one of the few people that made me feel short. Sometimes we would go places and people would be rude and gawk at her or say mean things to her and I would  get angry. Margo was always cool and would  just brush it off her shoulder. She would look at me and say “Chas they are just ignorant and we are just going to ignore them. Then she would say something funny to make me laugh..

So when I found out the news last week that she had a heart attack and  they where waiting for her to come out of a coma I didn’t believe it. I called one of my other Polska sisters and got the news confirmed I was extremely concerned. You don’t really want to talk or hear about this on Facebook and Twitter and I had to go back and forth about blogging  about the incident. I believe in the power of prayer and so  I decided to write a prayer blog. So this is my prayer blog for Margo. I asked all my readers to join me in saying this prayer as Margo rest in her coma right now. I know she will bounce back from this and I have Faith that one of the most genuine people in the world will come back out of this more healthy and strong and make us smile again..

Father God I give you all honor, praise, and glory and I thank you for your grace and mercy. I ask that you put your hand of protection against Margo Dydek right now. Margo has a  huge heart dear God and she has given so much love and kindness to so many people. I believe right now  that you are giving her heart the rest it needs. I ask you Lord to  bless her family and put a hedge of protection around her kids, as they may not fully understand what’s going on. Also I ask that you  give her husband the strength and the courage to  stand firm during this time. I give you all the praise  and I believe that you will bring her back to a full recovery. Margo is much better standing tall above the rest then lying in some hospital bed.  I ask that you heal her heart Lord and give her  renewed strength and vitality. So  many people love her Lord and the world is a much better place with her a part of it. This I ask in your name. Amen

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I’m done with Two a Days…..

My bad Coach but Lebron James kept me up late last night. :)

This week training camp has been intense, demanding, physical and competitive. I’ve been practicing twice a day with the team and it has been no joke. We have alot of new talent on the team and the athleticism we have this year is unbelievable. I have to admit I questioned myself alittle bit before training camp started about my physical shape, and whether my body is ready for another season. Well after finishing up the last two a day practices and making it through the trenches I’m ready for whatever. I must say I’m pretty spent but when I get my legs back  then it’s on and poppin dj rocking..Then I’ll be on the court singing that song like Diddy with Dirty Money and Skylar.  I’m back where I belong, I never felt so strong…I’m feeling like there’s nothing that I can’t try….

You would think my dog Redd had two a days also. Tired Redd?

Okay singing is not my talent but anyways, with one practice a day I’ll be able to get that blog up.  I was really trying to get back to you guys but your mamma  was tiredddddddddddd. I could barley stay up and watch the NBA playoffs and I love this game.. I would be laying on the couch, thinking I was watching the game, only to wake up and find out the game was watching me. The two practices a day have been tough but with our short preseason it’s what we had to do. I’m just glad I made it through the week without any  injuries. Next week scrimmages and preseason games, Lets Goooooooooooooo!

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Back Where I Belong . . . .

Me posing in the Mystics new Uniforms! I love the new colors!!

I don’t know if it was the bus accident in China or just the ups and lately downs that I’ve had in my career but I needed to regroup. I had to take some time away from Blogging, Facebook, and  Twitter. I even put my passport away.

Since I’ve graduated from NCSU-way back back in the day- I’ve been playing basketball year round. I’ve seen my family and friends here and there, spent time in my house  sparingly but I’ve not been anywhere consistently  for even one year at a time. So when you travel as much as I have  it’s easy sometimes to feel disconnected and out of touch with alot of things. I therefore decided to take some time away and go back home and I’m really glad I did.

I spent the last 3 months back in my hometown of Roseboro NC and got  a chance to get back to the core of where everything started.

I went back to the place where my roots are. I  spent time with my family and friends, spent time with the people who have known me before I even aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player.

I'm ready for whatever!

I went back to N .C . State and worked out in the weight room with Charles, got workouts in  with Coach J. I got those pick-up games in with the guys at the Wellness Center in Clinton.

NOW . . thanks to great time and much needed conversations with friends and family I feel rejuvenated!! And I realized again that playing basketball is still so much fun for me and I’m super excited about this summer!.

“After turning 35 I’m coming all the way live” and inviting you to join me in  my 13th season in the WNBA . I’ll be blogging every chance I get all season long sharing with you the ups and downs of the season as I join with the Washington Mystics an hopefully bring a  WNBA Championship to the Nation’s Capital.

I already had 2 days of training camp and I must say I feel really good about the past few days! So stay tuned because “it’s on and poppin DJ rocking” ;-) . Also check out MY OFFICIAL FACEBOOK Page for daily updates about the my 13th season.

OH and BTW, to those of you  that want to know how much longer I’m going to  play. Stop asking because I’m  gonna play FOREVERRRRRR  Maaaaaaaaaannnn!!!!! :)

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Chasity Melvin will host Basketball Clinic at Lakewood HighSchool

Hi everyone. I’ve  had some down time back in my hometown of Roseboro NC and the kids have been asking me about a camp. So everyone in Sampson County and surrounding areas I will be providing a clinic for the  girls and boys this month. The clinic will teach kids  fundamentals that will help them improve their basketball skills.

On April 9th Girls Basketball Clinic Girls Registration Form Insurance Waiver Form

Ages 7-11 (2nd-5thgrade)

Time 8:15am-12:00

Ages 12-18(6th-12thgrade)

Time 1:15pm-5:00pm

Location Lakewood High School 245 Lakewood School Road Roseboro NC 28382

Cost $25.00 Registration Deadline April 5th 2011

Spaces are limited so please download registration and insurance waiver forms and mail them to the address listed on the form.

Contact information 202-657-4169

Email Chascamp44@yahoo.com Please send all questions to this address or call the above number.

Facebook  Chasitymelvin#44 fanpage this will give updates about the camp and give you more information about me as a player.

Boys Clinic April 16th Boys Registration Form Insurance Waiver Form

Ages: 7-11 (2-5th grade)

Time 8:15-12:00

Ages 12-18 (6ht-12th grade)

Time 1:15pm-5:00pm

Cost $25.00  Registration Deadline April 12th

Same contact information, Same Price $25.00 and Same Location Lakewood Highschool. Chasity Melvin BBALL Camp Color Flyer Revised

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For Wade and James right now “The Heat is Off “

This past week I felt  like I could coach a team to a win against the Heat. Every time I turn on Sports-center  or any sports channel all I see is film on the Miami Heat. Everyone including my mom knows how to defend the Heat these days. My mom asked me yesterday “why aren’t the Heat winning?’

D Wade and James need to get this chemistry going more consistently

Even though  Lebron and D-Wade  are missing key baskets right now that is not the biggest problem. The main problem or obstacle they need to overcome is their chemistry on the court. The top team duos in the  East and the West  all  play with  the type of chemistry that  Lebron and D-Wade  lack. 

Kobe and Derrick Fisher, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Derrick Rose and Luol Deng, Jason Terry and Dirk Nowtski, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. These duos have learned how to play with each other and trust each other. The chemistry between the players, not only help their teams win but exudes confidence in their teammates.

Lebron and  Dwayne need to watch some film on these guys and see how they play for each other and most importantly how they trust each other. Unfortunately this type of chemistry usually  takes longer than one season. D-Wade and Lebron have the talent and unselfishness to do it but are they  committed to it?   I know these guys can take the heat but if they stay in the kitchen and don’t learn how to cook (play) together. Then all the hard work(sweat and tears)  will end in a disaster.

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What Legacy will you leave behind?

This past weekend at the 2011 ACC Women’s Basketball tournament I had the pleasure of being honored as an ACC Legend.  When I think of a Legend I always think of someone very famous because of the records they have set or  certain attributes that they have that  will never be forgotten. So when I was told by NC State’s staff that I would be this year’s ACC Legend I was a bit surprised, honored and humbled.

I looked up the meaning of a Legend and it means anyone or anything whose fame, accomplishments promise to be enduring and  or lasting a very long time. It was nice  seeing all the fan support this weekend at the tournament and  receiving congratulations from former teammates, friends and family. So many people told me things they remembered about me playing at NC State that just amazed me.   It made me realize that what I accomplished at NC State on a small scale has lasted not only in the record books but in many hearts and minds.

On a much larger scale I was sad that the Legendary Coach Kay Yow  wasn’t able to share in this experience with me.  Coach Yow’s constant drive in pushing me to get better every year, her positive yet constructive criticism and firm belief in my talent is  a very big reason why  I was honored this weekend.

My Dad always told me that whatever I’m doing, whomever I meet and wherever I go in life be conscious of the way I want to be remembered. He taught  me and my siblings that in each of our lives we will leave our legacy so always be mindful of the legacy we would like to leave.   I’m grateful to have left a positive legacy at NC State and I hope to continue to build upon that legacy in my professional career as well.

Thanks again to all my family, friends, teammates and fans for the congrats and support. It was a special moment and a great weekend.

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