Athletes

Known as a go-to player and all-around forward, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings is a basketball phenom out of the University of Tennessee. The two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year’s (2005, 2006) collegiate and professional accomplishments include her five WNBA All-Star and five All-WNBA selections. She was the first 2,000-point scorer in the WNBA, in the 2005 season. In 2006, she was the leading vote-getter in the WNBA All-Star Game, but was sidelined because of a foot injury. That same year, Catchings was chosen as a member of the All-Decade Team, along with nine other players and former Comets coach Van Chancellor. She is the only player in WNBA history to finish in the league’s top 10 in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks all within the same season. While playing for Tennessee (1997-2001), Catchings was a Kodak All-America recipient for four consecutive seasons, becoming only one of four women to obtain this honor. Catchings is one of two Lady Vols to score 2,000 points and collect 1,000 rebounds. She finished her collegiate career as the third-ranked player in points (2,113) and rebounds (1,004). Catchings is a leader off the court, serving as president of the WNBA Players Association. In 2007 she received the Coca-Cola Circle City Classic Chase Major Taylor Award, given to African-American athletes, coaches, athletic administrators and officials who make great contributions in encouraging excellence among future generations.