Tamika Catchings

High School: Tamika

Tamika Catchings was born on July 21, 1979 in Stratford, NJ . She attended Duncanville High School in Texas, where she was a four-year letterwinner in basketball, volleyball, and track. Tamika was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in basketball in 1997 and was also a McDonald’s All-American.

College: Catchings POY

Catchings played college basketball for the University of Tennessee, where she was a four-year starter. She was a two-time All-American and helped the Lady Volunteers win the national championship in 1998. Tamika was also named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Here are some of her other accomplishments:

• 1998 Naismith College Player of the Year
• 1998 Wooden Award winner
• 1998 Wade Trophy winner
• 1998 Associated Press Player of the Year
• 1998 USBWA National Player of the Year
• 1998 Honda Sports Award winner
• 1998 Kodak All-America First Team
• 1998 John R. Wooden Award All-American Team
• 1998 Associated Press All-America First Team
• 1998 USBWA All-America First Team
• 1998 WBCA All-America First Team
• 1998 Academic All-Big Ten First Team

Professional: Catchings Earns IT

Tamika Catchings was drafted by the Indiana Fever with the third overall pick in the 2001 WNBA draft. She has played her entire 15-year career with the Fever. Catchings is a 10-time WNBA All-Star, a 7-time All-WNBA First Team selection, and a 5-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She is also a two-time WNBA champion (2012, 2016).

Catchings is one of the most decorated players in WNBA history. She is the league’s all-time leader in steals and is second in rebounds. Tamika is also a member of the WNBA’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s and 2010s.  Here are some of her accomplishments:

• 5-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
• 2012 WNBA champion
• 2012 WNBA Finals MVP
• 2011 WNBA MVP
• 2009 WNBA All-Star Game MVP
• 2003 WNBA Rookie of the Year
• 2003 WNBA All-Rookie Team
• 1999 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year
• 2004 Olympic gold medalist
• 2008 Olympic gold medalist
• 2012 Olympic gold medalist
• 2016 Olympic gold medalist
• 2002 FIBA World Cup gold medalist
• 2006 FIBA World Cup gold medalist
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2019)

Current Status

Catchings retired from the WNBA in 2019. She is currently the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Fever. She is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Catchings is a role model for many young girls and women. She is a reminder that anything is possible if you work hard and never give up on your dreams. Tamika Catchings is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.  If you want to learn more about Tamika, check out her website.