Tamika Catchings 2016 Highlights:
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
Age: 37
Years Pro: 15
College: Tennessee
Acquired: Selected 3rd overall by Indiana, First Round – 2001 WNBA Draft
Stats: Catchings started all 34 regular season games in the final season of her career, averaging a team-high 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Her 62 total steals led the WNBA, as did her per-game average. She shot 43.3 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, and 86.2 percent from the free throw line.
Notable Performances:
Sept. 18 vs. Dallas: Tamika Catchings’ retirement ceremony following the Fever’s regular season finale on Sunday, Sept. 18 will go down as one of the most memorable events in franchise history. Catchings made the most of the game with a dazzling on-court performance. She scored the first points of the game on a textbook finger roll, and went on to score eight of the team’s first 12 points en route to an 83-60 win in front of a packed Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Catchings finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in her regular season farewell.
June 29 at Chicago: If any game could rival that season finale in terms of Catchings’ passion and performance, it was the Fever’s 95-83 win over the Chicago Sky on June 29. Catchings poured in 26 points with a fantastic shooting display (7-11 FG, 3-4 3PFG, 9-9 FT) in her first game back following the passing of her beloved college coach, Pat Summitt. Catchings left the team briefly to attend Summitt’s celebration of life service, where Catchings spoke about her relationship with the former University of Tennessee coach. Once she returned and stepped back out on the floor, it was evident that Catchings was playing with a higher purpose.
June 12 vs. Seattle: Catchings’ season-high scoring output came at home against the Seattle Storm on June 12. Catchings dropped 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, including one made 3-pointer and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Catchings added six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals each.
Catchings finished her career as one of the most accomplished players in WNBA history. At the end of the 2016 season, she sat atop the WNBA all-time leaders in rebounds (3,316), steals (1,074), free throws made (2,004) and attempted (2,386), and is second in points (7,380) and sixth in assists (1,488). She is similarly represented in the WNBA Playoffs record books, leading the league in career playoff points (1,141), rebounds (598), steals (152), and free throws made (356) and attempted (417). She’s also second all-time in playoff assists (223) and fourth in blocked shots (62). Catchings won one WNBA Championship in 2012, when she was named WNBA Finals MVP, and also took home league MVP honors in 2011.