Tamika Catchings is a celebrated American former basketball player known for her 15-year career with the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her impressive list of accolades includes a WNBA championship, WNBA Most Valuable Player Award, WNBA Finals MVP Award, five WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, four Olympic gold medals, the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, and an NCAA championship with the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. Catchings is among an elite group of 11 women who have secured an Olympic gold medal, NCAA Championship, FIBA World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship. Widely recognized for her skill and impact on the sport, she has been named to ten WNBA All-Star teams, 12 All-WNBA teams, and 12 All-Defensive teams, also leading the league in steals eight times. Her legacy within the sport is cemented by her inclusion in the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time, the WNBA Top 20@20, and The W25.
July 21, 1979: Birth of Tamika Catchings
Tamika Devonne Catchings was born on July 21, 1979.
1995: Catchings Leads Stevenson High School to State Championship
As a sophomore in 1995, Tamika Catchings played a key role in leading Stevenson High School to the Illinois's IHSA Div. AA State Championship. This was also the year she was named Illinois Ms. Basketball, the youngest player to receive the award.
September 1996: Silver Medal at the FIBA Junior World Championship
Tamika Catchings and the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team won a silver medal at the FIBA Junior World Championship in Chetumal, Mexico, in September 1996. Despite a strong start, the team suffered a close loss to Brazil in the final.
1997: Tamika Catchings Begins College Career at University of Tennessee
Catchings began her college basketball career at the University of Tennessee in 1997, quickly becoming an All-American on the Lady Vols basketball team.
1997: Gold Medal at the FIBA Junior World Championship
In 1997, Tamika Catchings and the USA team participated in the FIBA Junior World Championship in Natal, Brazil. They faced a setback against Australia but ultimately won the gold medal, the first for a USA team in this competition. Catchings's performance was instrumental, finishing as the team's second-leading scorer and leading rebounder.
1998: Tamika Catchings Wins NCAA Championship with Tennessee
As a freshman on the undefeated 1997-1998 University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, Catchings was part of the "Three Meeks," who helped lead the Lady Vols to an NCAA championship.
1998: Gold Medal at the William Jones Cup
Tamika Catchings was part of the USA team that won the gold medal at the William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998. She contributed an average of 6.4 points per game.
2000: Tamika Catchings Wins Naismith College Player of the Year
In 2000, Catchings won the Naismith College Player of the Year award.
2000: Catchings Receives Reynolds Society Achievement Award
In 2000, Tamika Catchings was granted the Reynolds Society Achievement Award by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.
2001: Tamika Catchings Graduates from University of Tennessee
In 2001, Catchings graduated from the University of Tennessee, ending her collegiate career with numerous awards, accolades, and an NCAA championship.
2001: Indiana Fever Draft Tamika Catchings
Tamika Catchings was drafted third overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2001 WNBA draft. Unfortunately, an ACL injury sustained in college prevented her from playing during the 2001 season.
2002: Tamika Catchings Wins WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
After missing the 2001 season due to an ACL injury, Tamika Catchings made her WNBA debut in 2002, winning the Rookie of the Year award.
2003: Tamika Catchings Has Career-Best Season
In the 2003 WNBA season, Tamika Catchings averaged a career-high 19.7 points per game.
2003: Playing Overseas in South Korea
During the 2003 WNBA offseason, Tamika Catchings began her international career, playing for Asan Woori Bank Wibee in South Korea.
2004: Catchings Founds Catch the Stars Foundation
In 2004, Tamika Catchings established the Catch the Stars Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged children through basketball camps, fitness clinics, mentoring, and literacy programs.
2004: Olympic Gold Medal
Tamika Catchings was a member of the US women's basketball team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
2004: Tamika Catchings Wins First Olympic Gold Medal
Tamika Catchings was a member of the United States Women's Basketball Team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
2005: Tamika Catchings Earns First WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
In 2005, Catchings reached a career milestone, becoming the fourth-fastest player to score 2,000 points in the WNBA. The same year, she was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
2005: Playing in the Russian League
In the 2005-2006 WNBA offseason, Catchings expanded her international experience by joining Spartak Moscow in the Russian League.
2006: Return to South Korea
Catchings went back to South Korea during the 2006 WNBA offseason, once again playing for Chuncheon Woori Bank Hansae, demonstrating her international appeal.
2006: Tamika Catchings Earns Spot on All-Decade Team
In 2006, Catchings was voted into the WNBA All-Star game and was named a member of the All-Decade team.
2007: Second Season with Chuncheon Woori Bank Hansae
Catchings continued her tenure with Chuncheon Woori Bank Hansae in South Korea for a second consecutive offseason during the 2007 WNBA break.
April 25, 2008: Catchings Referees Barack Obama's Basketball Game
On April 25, 2008, Tamika Catchings took on the role of referee for a 3-on-3 basketball game involving Barack Obama and students from Kokomo, Indiana at Maple Crest Middle School. Her Fever teammate, Alison Bales, also participated in the game on Obama's team.
June 24, 2008: Catchings Receives Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award
On June 24, 2008, Tamika Catchings was honored with the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding work with her Catch the Stars foundation in Indianapolis.
2008: Joining Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia in Poland
In the 2008-2009 offseason, Catchings took her talents to Poland, playing for Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia, showcasing her versatility and adaptability.
2008: Indiana Fever Trade for Katie Douglas
Months before the 2008 season, the Fever traded for Katie Douglas to pair with Catchings, forming an all-star duo.
2009: Start of Tenure with Galatasaray in Turkey
Tamika Catchings' international journey led her to Turkey, where she began playing for Galatasaray in the Turkish League during the 2009-2010 WNBA offseason.
2009: Invitation to USA Basketball Women's National Team Training Camp
In the fall of 2009, Tamika Catchings received an invitation to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp, a significant step towards selection for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Olympics.
2009: Tamika Catchings Leads Fever to First WNBA Finals Appearance
In 2009, Catchings led the league in steals and led the Fever to their first WNBA Finals appearance, where they lost to the Phoenix Mercury.
October 2010: WNBA All-Stars vs. USA Basketball Game
As part of the preparations for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, Tamika Catchings participated in a special exhibition game featuring WNBA All-Stars against the USA Basketball Women's National Team. This game replaced the traditional WNBA All-Star game and provided valuable experience for the upcoming tournament.
October 2010: Gold Medal at the FIBA World Championship
In October 2010, Tamika Catchings and the US Women's Basketball Team emerged victorious at the FIBA World Championship, securing the gold medal after defeating the host nation, the Czech Republic, in a closely contested final game.
2010: Tamika Catchings Wins Third WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
In 2010, Tamika Catchings wins her third WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
2010: Preparation for FIBA World Championship
Throughout 2010, Tamika Catchings focused on preparing for the FIBA World Championship, a testament to her commitment to representing the United States on the international stage.
2011: Final Season with Galatasaray
Catchings concluded her time with Galatasaray in the Turkish League after the 2011 WNBA season, marking the end of her successful international playing career.
2011: Tamika Catchings Wins WNBA MVP Award
Tamika Catchings had a standout year in 2011, winning the WNBA's Most Valuable Player Award.
2012: Tamika Catchings Wins WNBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2012, Tamika Catchings led the Indiana Fever to their first WNBA Championship, defeating the Minnesota Lynx. Catchings was named the WNBA Finals MVP.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal and Selection as Finalist
In 2012, Tamika Catchings was selected as one of 21 finalists for the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team. She successfully earned a spot on the final roster and was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London.
2012: Road to the Olympics
Tamika Catchings dedicated the year 2012 to training and competing with the goal of securing a spot on the US Olympic team, showcasing her dedication to excellence.
2013: Katie Douglas Leaves Indiana Fever
In 2013, Katie Douglas, who had been traded to the Indiana Fever in 2008 to play alongside Catchings, left the Fever.
July 2014: Catchings Meets Future Husband
Tamika Catchings first met her future husband, Parnell Smith, in July 2014 through a mutual friend.
August 23, 2014: Tamika Catchings Becomes WNBA's All-Time Leading Playoff Scorer
On August 23, 2014, Catchings made history again, becoming the WNBA's all-time leading playoff scorer after scoring a three-point field goal in a game against the Washington Mystics.
October 2014: Tamika Catchings Announces Retirement Plans
In October of 2014, Catchings announced her plans to retire following the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2015: 10th WNBA All-Star Selection and Finals Appearance
In 2015, Tamika Catchings was selected for her 10th WNBA All-Star game, surpassing Tina Thompson for the most appearances. The Indiana Fever, with new teammate Marissa Coleman, finished third in the Eastern Conference and reached the finals, where they lost to the Minnesota Lynx.
February 2016: Catchings Marries Parnell Smith
Tamika Catchings married Parnell Smith, a former basketball player for the University at Buffalo, in February 2016.
September 21, 2016: Final WNBA Game and All-Time Rebounding Record
On September 21, 2016, Tamika Catchings played her final WNBA game, a playoff loss against the Phoenix Mercury. This game marked a significant achievement for Catchings, as she became the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder, surpassing Lisa Leslie.
2016: Tamika Catchings Retires from Basketball
After helping the USA Women's Basketball team to a gold medal finish at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Catchings retired from basketball.
2016: Fourth Olympic Gold Medal
In her final Olympic appearance at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Tamika Catchings and Team USA dominated the competition, culminating in a decisive victory over Spain to secure her fourth Olympic gold medal.
2016: Retirement and Recognition as WNBA All-Time Great
Upon retiring in 2016, Tamika Catchings held numerous WNBA records, including most playoff points and rebounds, second in regular-season rebounds and points, and most consecutive playoff appearances. Her accolades cemented her legacy as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, earning her recognition in the WNBA Top 20@20 list.
January 2017: Transition to Broadcasting
In January 2017, Catchings embarked on a new chapter in her basketball career, joining SEC Network as a game analyst for Women's Basketball Games.
February 2017: Catchings Purchases Tea's Me Cafe
In February 2017, Tamika Catchings purchased Tea's Me Cafe, a tea shop she frequented while playing for the Indiana Fever.
April 2017: Catchings Joins Pacers Sports & Entertainment
In April 2017, Tamika Catchings was appointed as the Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development for Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
2020: Tamika Catchings Inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2020, Tamika Catchings was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
2021: Tamika Catchings Named to The W25
In 2021, Catchings was named to The W25, a list of the top 25 WNBA players of all time.
2021: Named to The W25
In 2021, Tamika Catchings was further honored by being named to The W25, a list recognizing the top 25 players in WNBA history, commemorating the league's 25th season.
2023: Tea's Me Cafe Expands
By 2023, Tea's Me Cafe, owned by Tamika Catchings, had expanded to three locations and saw growth in in-store sales.
2023: Catchings Becomes Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta
Tamika Catchings became an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 2023.