Ukari Figgs Announces Her Retirement
April 26, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Houston Comets News Release
HOUSTON - Houston Comets guard Ukari Figgs has announced that she is retiring from the WNBA. Figgs finishes her WNBA career with averages of 6.5 points, 3.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 151 games with the Los Angeles Sparks (86 games), Portland Fire (31 games) and Houston Comets (34 games).
"I am very honored to end my WNBA career as a Houston Comet...to think of the great players who have put on a Comets jersey," said Figgs on her retirement. "My five years in the WNBA were great, however, there is a time when you have to move on. I went to Purdue with the thought of becoming a mechanical engineer. I never dreamed of being a professional basketball player. I am happy with the years that I played in the league, and I am even happier to be able to retire with a championship and without any major injuries. Toyota has provided me with a great opportunity to return to my hometown and use my degree. I am grateful for this chance to give back to the community that helped shape me into the person I am today."
Figgs (5-9, Purdue '99) joined the Comets as the 13th pick in the 2003 Dispersal Draft of the Portland Fire on April 24, 2003. She was acquired by Portland along with Gergana Slavtcheva from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Sophia Witherspoon and Nikki Teasley on April 19, 2002. Figgs was originally drafted by Los Angeles in the third round (28th overall) of the 1999 WNBA Draft. In 2003 with the Comets, Figgs started in 30 of 34 games played, averaging 4.4 points, 2.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds. She pulled down a career-high eight rebounds vs. Minnesota on July 1, 2003. Figgs also scored in double-digits twice for the Comets, including a season-high 13 points on July 29 vs. Minnesota. She averaged a career-high 8.5 points, dished out 3.4 assists and grabbed 2.6 rebounds in 31 games for Portland in 2002. Figgs started 29 of 32 games in 2001, averaging 8.0 points and 3.9 assists during the Sparks' championship season. She also ranked second in the WNBA in 3-point field goal percentage (.462) and sixth in 3-point field goals made (54) in 2001. Figgs started all 32 games for Los Angeles in 2000, and appeared in 22 games with 10 starts as a rookie in 1999.
As a collegian, Figgs averaged 11.6 points and 3.3 assists in her four-year career at Purdue. She averaged 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists during her senior season in which Purdue took home the NCAA championship.
"As a player and as a person, we are really going to miss Ukari on this team," said Head Coach and General Manager Van Chancellor. "She has a tremendous opportunity to use her engineering degree and to work back home for Toyota. We wish Ukari and her husband all the best."
Figgs, who married Thomas Moore in 2003, works back in her hometown of Georgetown, Kentucky, as an engineer at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. She also serves as an assistant coach for the boy's varsity team at Scott County High School (Georgetown, KY).
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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 26, 2004
- Seattle Storm announce training camp schedule and roster - Seattle Storm
- Ukari Figgs Announces Her Retirement - Houston Comets
- Cedric Ceballos Named to Mercury Staff - Phoenix Mercury
- Lisa Harrison Retires, Joins Mercury Coaching Staff - Phoenix Mercury
- Monarchs announce 2004 training camp roster - Sacramento Monarchs
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