Kayte Christensen is a hardworking forward in the WNBA, but her story goes beyond the court. She grew up in a small Oregon town and then went on to play college basketball in California, eventually becoming a TV analyst for the Sacramento Kings.
Whether you know her from her days with the Phoenix Mercury or from her courtside commentary, here’s everything we know about Kayte Christensen.
A Biography of Kayte Christensen
- Born: November 16, 1980, in Lakeview, Oregon
- Height: 6 ft 2 (188 cm)
- Education:
- Modoc High School, Alturas, California
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- Drafted by: Phoenix Mercury (3rd round, 40th pick in 2002 WNBA draft)
- Basketball Career History:
- 2002-2005: Phoenix Mercury
- 2006: Houston Comets, then back to Phoenix Mercury
- 2007-2008: Chicago Sky
Image source: Getty Images
- Position: Forward
- Number: 20
- Career Highlights:
- Big West Player of the Year (2002)
- First-team All-Big West (2001, 2002)
- Big West All-Freshman team (1999)
- Twice received WNBA Offseason Community Assist Award (2003, 2004)
- Current Career: Analyst for the Sacramento Kings on TV
- Spouse: Joe Hunter
- Kids: A boy and a girl
Image source: Facebook
Early Life and Education of Kayte Christensen
Kayte grew up in Lakeview, Oregon. She attended Modoc High School, where she dominated, earning league MVP three years in a row. She also led her team to a Division V state championship in her senior year.
Image source: Instagram
From there, she went to UC Santa Barbara, where she played four seasons, earning Big West All-Freshman honors in 1999 and hitting her peak as Player of the Year in 2002.
An Overview of Kayte Christensen’s Career
Kayte joined the WNBA in 2002 via the Phoenix Mercury, playing there for four seasons. In 2006, she briefly signed with the Houston Comets before returning to Phoenix.
Off-season, she also played abroad.
In 2003 and 2004, she received community awards for her efforts off the court.
After retiring in 2008, Kayte shifted to broadcasting, starting in radio, then courtside TV roles with the Sacramento Kings.
Image source: Google
She’s also contributed to ESPN/ESPNU women’s coverage and worked in social media roles with NBA organizations.
Final Thoughts
From her early days as a standout high school athlete in rural California to becoming a top player at UC Santa Barbara and then moving into the WNBA and international basketball, Kayte has always followed passion with purpose.
After her playing days ended, she shifted her career to broadcasting, using her knowledge to stay connected to the sport.
Featured image source: Instagram
