Born: 1979 (New Jersey, USA)
Biography:
Tamika Devonne Catchings (born July 21, 1979) is an American retired professional basketball player who played her entire 15-year career for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Catchings was born in New Jersey and played basketball for both Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Duncanville High School, where she was named a WBCA All-American. She showcased her talent at the WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring twelve points during the event. Catchings also holds the distinction of being the first player at any level in history to be officially credited with scoring a quintuple-double, accomplishing this feat with 25 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals, and 10 blocks.
In college, Catchings was an All-American for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team from 1997 to 2001. As a freshman on the undefeated 1997–98 national champions, she formed a formidable trio with Semeka Randall and Chamique Holdsclaw, known as the Three Meeks. Catchings’ exceptional performance during her college career earned her numerous accolades, including the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the AP Player of the Year award, the USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year award, and the WBCA Player of the Year award in 2000.
Turning her attention to the professional stage, Catchings joined the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Throughout her illustrious career, she achieved remarkable success and became one of the most esteemed players in women’s basketball history. Catchings won a WNBA championship in 2012 and was named the WNBA Most Valuable Player in 2011. In addition, she earned the WNBA Finals MVP Award in 2012, five WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012, and the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2002.
Catchings’ influence extended beyond individual success as she became a four-time Olympic gold medalist, representing the United States in the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games. She is one of only 11 women to have achieved the incredible combination of winning an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, a Fiba World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.
Throughout her career, Catchings garnered widespread recognition for her outstanding abilities, earning selection to ten WNBA All-Star teams, 12 All-WNBA teams, and 12 All-Defensive teams. Her exceptional skills in steals led her to lead the league in steals eight times.
Catchings’ contributions to women’s basketball were recognized by fans and peers alike. In 2011, she was voted by fans as one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time. Subsequently, Catchings was named to two more all-time WNBA teams, the WNBA Top 20@20 in 2016 and The W25 in 2021.
Off the court, Catchings served as the President of the WNBA Players Association from 2012 to 2016, advocating for the rights and wellbeing of her fellow players.
In recognition of her remarkable career and significant impact on women’s basketball, Catchings was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Awards:
– WNBA Championship (2012)
– WNBA Most Valuable Player Award (2011)
– WNBA Finals MVP Award (2012)
– Five-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012)
– WNBA Rookie of the Year Award (2002)
– Four Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2020)