Kayte Christensen
Encyclopedia
Kayte Lauren Christensen (born November 16, 1980 in Lakeview
, Oregon
) is an American Color commentator
and former professional basketball
player who has competed internationally and for the Phoenix Mercury
,Houston Comets
and Chicago Sky
in the WNBA
.
Christensen has served as a Color commentator for ESPNU
and was alongside play-by-play announcer Doug Sherman on the call of the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Women's Basketball Championship game.
, with two sisters and a younger brother.
in Alturas, California
and graduated in 1998. She started playing basketball in sixth grade and it wasn’t until her junior season in high school that she realized she had potential to have basketball pay for her college education. Christensen averaged 17.4 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game as a senior. She was named the California Division V Player of the Year in 1998 as well as the Shasta Cascade League MVP in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
As a junior, Christensen scored 17.4 points per game and grabbed 11.1 rebounds per game. Her 470 points scored as a junior and 1,557 points in her career are both Modoc High School records. She blocked 80 shots as a junior and 59 as a senior. During her junior year, Christensen and her Modoc teammates were the Division V state runners-up. The next year, they won the California Interscholastic Federation
state Division V championship.
In her spare time, Christensen tutored younger girls at basketball. She also competed in Volleyball
and Track
.
Christensen later attended college at UC Santa Barbara as a classmate of fellow WNBA player Lindsay Taylor
. She is Santa Barbara's all-time career field goal percentage leader. She also ranks among the top ten in rebounds and blocked shots
.
Christensen's first season playing at UCSB was (1998–1999). She scored in double figures nine times during her first season, including twice scoring a career-high 18 points. She finished her first season averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds a game in 16.9 minutes of play. Christensen was named to the Big West's All-Freshman team and finished 12th (out of 15)in the Big West
with 0.6 blocks per game. She capped her final season as the Big West Player of the Year.
Her second season was from (1999–2000). Christensen played in 18 games before breaking her wrist on January 25, 2000 forcing her to miss the remainder of the season.
Her final season was (2001–2002) and is considered her finest season as a Gaucho, earning All-Big West First Team honors. In league games, Christensen improved dramatically and averaged 15.6 points per game and also topped the team in rebounds at 7.6 per game. She was twice named the conference Player of the Week, on February 5, 2002 and March 5, 2002.
.
In her first four seasons in the WNBA, Christensen averaged 3.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.75 steals per game. During her rookie year in Phoenix, she shot .505 from the field, second among all WNBA rookies. Her 2.7 rebounding average was sixth among rookies. She averaged 4.0 points and 0.8 assists in 30 games. http://www.wnba.com/comets/news/Comets_Add_Kayte_Christensen-173320-222.html
Her bio on the Mercury website describes Christensen as aggressive and describes typical play for her as "diving for loose balls and generally sacrificing her body for the good of the team."
She signed with the Houston Comets
for her third WNBA season on March 24, 2006, but was waived on May 19, 2006 when she failed to make the regular-season roster. She rejoined the Mercury later one month later on June 15. She played in six games, averaging 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.http://www.wnba.com/mercury/news/christensen_060615.html
After the 2006 season ended, Christensen became a free agent
until March 2007, when she signed a contract with the Chicago Sky. She played in 23 games and scored 48 points for the Sky during the 2007 season. She was released from the Chicago Sky after missing the 2008 season opener due to a recurring back injury.
Christensen has twice been the recipient of the WNBA Offseason Community Assist Award, first in 2003 and second in 2004.
during Comcast SportsNet
broadcasts at ARCO Arena
. In May 2010, she was replaced by Jim Gray
.
http://www.wnba.com/mercury/news/draft_reaction_040417.html
Lakeview, Oregon
Lakeview is a city in Lake County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,294 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lake County. Although it is an incorporated city, the municipal government refers to the community as "The Town of Lakeview", and bills itself as "Tallest Town in Oregon"...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
) is an American Color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
and former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who has competed internationally and for the Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury is a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; it is one of the eight original franchises...
,Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
and Chicago Sky
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky is a professional basketball team based in Rosemont, Illinois, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2006 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Michael J. Alter and Margaret Stender...
in the WNBA
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
.
Christensen has served as a Color commentator for ESPNU
ESPNU
ESPNU is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced by, affiliated with and owned by parent network ESPN. ESPNU originates out of ESPN Regional Television's ESPNU (often referred to as The U) is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced...
and was alongside play-by-play announcer Doug Sherman on the call of the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. MAAC teams compete in the NCAA's Division I. Most of the members are Catholic or formerly Catholic institutions; the only exception is the private but secular Rider...
Women's Basketball Championship game.
Biography
Kayte Lauren Christensen was born in Lakeview, Oregon to Randy and Cathy Christensen. She grew up on her family's ranch in the Modoc County sawmill town of Likely, CaliforniaLikely, California
Likely is a census-designated place in Modoc County, California. It is located near the South Fork of the Pit River south of the county seat of Alturas, at an elevation of 4449 feet ....
, with two sisters and a younger brother.
High school and college
Christensen attended South Fork Elementary School, then Modoc High SchoolModoc High School (Alturas, California)
Modoc High School a.k.a MHS is a small High School located in Alturas, California. It is one of two high schools located in Modoc County, California.In 1994, Modoc High School was awarded the California Distinguished School award....
in Alturas, California
Alturas, California
Alturas is the county seat of Modoc County, California, United States. Alturas is located on the Pit River, east of the center of Modoc County, at an elevation of 4370 feet...
and graduated in 1998. She started playing basketball in sixth grade and it wasn’t until her junior season in high school that she realized she had potential to have basketball pay for her college education. Christensen averaged 17.4 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game as a senior. She was named the California Division V Player of the Year in 1998 as well as the Shasta Cascade League MVP in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
As a junior, Christensen scored 17.4 points per game and grabbed 11.1 rebounds per game. Her 470 points scored as a junior and 1,557 points in her career are both Modoc High School records. She blocked 80 shots as a junior and 59 as a senior. During her junior year, Christensen and her Modoc teammates were the Division V state runners-up. The next year, they won the California Interscholastic Federation
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
state Division V championship.
In her spare time, Christensen tutored younger girls at basketball. She also competed in Volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
and Track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
.
Christensen later attended college at UC Santa Barbara as a classmate of fellow WNBA player Lindsay Taylor
Lindsay Taylor
Lindsay Corine Taylor is an American professional basketball player and a former college player who has played in the Women's National Basketball Association , Turkish Women's Basketball League, Ligue Féminine de Basketball , the WKBL, Polish Women's League, and the Women's Chinese Basketball...
. She is Santa Barbara's all-time career field goal percentage leader. She also ranks among the top ten in rebounds and blocked shots
Block (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
.
Christensen's first season playing at UCSB was (1998–1999). She scored in double figures nine times during her first season, including twice scoring a career-high 18 points. She finished her first season averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds a game in 16.9 minutes of play. Christensen was named to the Big West's All-Freshman team and finished 12th (out of 15)in the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
with 0.6 blocks per game. She capped her final season as the Big West Player of the Year.
Her second season was from (1999–2000). Christensen played in 18 games before breaking her wrist on January 25, 2000 forcing her to miss the remainder of the season.
Her final season was (2001–2002) and is considered her finest season as a Gaucho, earning All-Big West First Team honors. In league games, Christensen improved dramatically and averaged 15.6 points per game and also topped the team in rebounds at 7.6 per game. She was twice named the conference Player of the Week, on February 5, 2002 and March 5, 2002.
WNBA
Christensen was selected by Phoenix Mercury in the third round (40th overall) of the 2002 WNBA Draft2002 WNBA Draft
2002 WNBA Draft – April 20, 2002On April 20, 2002, the regular WNBA draft took place.-College draft:-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-UConn Fab Four:...
.
In her first four seasons in the WNBA, Christensen averaged 3.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.75 steals per game. During her rookie year in Phoenix, she shot .505 from the field, second among all WNBA rookies. Her 2.7 rebounding average was sixth among rookies. She averaged 4.0 points and 0.8 assists in 30 games. http://www.wnba.com/comets/news/Comets_Add_Kayte_Christensen-173320-222.html
Her bio on the Mercury website describes Christensen as aggressive and describes typical play for her as "diving for loose balls and generally sacrificing her body for the good of the team."
She signed with the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
for her third WNBA season on March 24, 2006, but was waived on May 19, 2006 when she failed to make the regular-season roster. She rejoined the Mercury later one month later on June 15. She played in six games, averaging 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.http://www.wnba.com/mercury/news/christensen_060615.html
After the 2006 season ended, Christensen became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
until March 2007, when she signed a contract with the Chicago Sky. She played in 23 games and scored 48 points for the Sky during the 2007 season. She was released from the Chicago Sky after missing the 2008 season opener due to a recurring back injury.
Christensen has twice been the recipient of the WNBA Offseason Community Assist Award, first in 2003 and second in 2004.
Courtside Reporter
Kayte served as a courtside reporter for the NBA's Sacramento KingsSacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
during Comcast SportsNet
Comcast SportsNet
Comcast SportsNet is a group of regional sports networks in the United States primarily owned by the Comcast cable television company....
broadcasts at ARCO Arena
ARCO Arena
Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:...
. In May 2010, she was replaced by Jim Gray
Jim Gray (sportscaster)
Jim Gray is an American sportscaster. He has previously worked as a reporter with NBC Sports and CBS Sports. He is currently with Westwood One radio network, Showtime, Golf Channel, the Sacramento Kings, and ESPN/ESPN on ABC...
.
Career highlights
- Big West ConferenceBig West ConferenceThe Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
Player of the Year (2002) - All-Big West First Team (2001–2002)
- Big West All-Freshman Team (1999)
- Holds school record in career field-goal percentage
- Twice named the college conference Player of the Week
Quotes
Christensen on WNBA fans.http://www.wnba.com/mercury/news/draft_reaction_040417.html
Trivia
- Enjoys playing beach volleyball, hiking and camping
- Her favorite TV shows are Golden Girls and FriendsFriendsFriends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
- Wears a size 12(US)/44(EUR) shoe.