On Wednesday night in Indianapolis at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the illustrious career of one of the WNBA’s greatest players, Tamika Catchings, came to a close.
She scored 13 points in the Fever’s first-round, single-elimination playoff defeat to the Phoenix Mercury. The final score was 89-78.
Even though with a few minutes remaining, it was apparent that Phoenix would win, Catchings in vintage fashion competed to the end and was on the court until the final buzzer.
The WNBA even devoted an entire portion of its website in celebration and commemoration of Catchings’ career.
(Video Credit: Indiana Fever/WNBA)
At a post-game press conference, Catchings expressed that she was hoping in the next few days that she would spent a little more time with her teammates before they begin their overseas schedules—as well as spend time with her family.
She also expressed optimism about the future of the WNBA.
Knowing that the next generation of players that have watched me and have watched us play, aspire to be in our footsteps. And that gives me strength. That gives me encouragement that one of those little girls growing up hopefully wants to be me—but my challenge is for her to be better than I was.
–Tamika Catchings
The career of one of the greatest athletes and role models I’ve ever seen is over. Thank you, Tamika Catchings.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) September 22, 2016
It has been an absolute pleasure to cover @Catchin24 over the years. Can’t think of a better person on and off the court.
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) September 22, 2016
Her final game may have been the playoff loss to Phoenix, but her career has celebrated in an even grander fashion at The Fieldhouse this past Sunday.
The event brought out a cavalcade of luminaries from inside and outside basketball circles.
Rarely, do you have an individual that is so accomplished in one particular area—sports, in this case, basketball and all of the records have already been identified. It is truly rare, if ever, that you could suggest, and I believe, persuade, that their off-court accomplishments are even greater than their on-court accomplishments.
–Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett
I would say we should move her to that category called ‘Legends’.
–WNBA president Lisa Borders
Catchings was also presented with a couple of honorary items via Nike—a hoodie with several of her accomplishments on one of its sleeves (Five-Time Defensive Player of the Year, 10-Time All-Star, and her WNBA championship she won with the Fever). The other sleeve had the years of her four gold medals embroidered in gold.
What I will remember most is the way you play the game. You never take a play off, you never cheapen the game. You give your all every second on the court. And your humility is amazing.
–Carol Callan, USA Women’s Basketball Team Director speaking to Tamika Catchings
From day one, she has personally stamped her footprint on this city, bringing out the best of her teammates, this organization, the fans who love her so much, and this community. What Tamika has done here is not simply the result of a good first impression. It is the result of her dedication and commitment day in, day out, year in, year out, season in, season out to strive for excellence in everything she does.
–Briann January
All of us have learned so much from you, Tamika—about leadership, about life, about love. And I, like everyone in this room, I love you. You’re extraordinary.
–Jim Morris, vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Morris also presented a check on behalf of Pacers Sports and Entertainment for $100,000 to the Catch The Stars Foundation.
Catchings told her story of how when she was younger she had aspirations of wanting to play in the NBA since the WNBA was not around until the late 1990s. The WNBA came around during her freshman year in college at Tennessee.
Her senior year, she tore her ACL, and she mentioned how she felt no one would draft her. Indiana, of course did. Catchings later mentioned her journey through college and the WNBA as well as her work with the Catch The Stars Foundation.
When we started the Foundation back in 2004, the one that I continuously thought about was all of the people that helped me get to where I am today. And what we thought about was wanting to provide the same for others.
–Tamika Catchings
She also mentioned that people have been surprised she wasn’t crying more at her retirement.
Every single ounce inside of me I’ve given. The tears that I’ve shed after losses. The tears that I’ve shed after wins. For 16 years, coming in early every single day to get shots up, staying late every single day to make sure that I can shoot. Through the highs, through the lows—when you give that much, my tears have already been shed.
Catchings also praised her teammates and expressed she’d always be there for them, as well as thanking the fans in Indianapolis for always supporting the team. She later acknowledged the many people who have helped her throughout her career on and off the court.
In her closing remarks, she hoped that those that have supported the Fever up to this point would continue to support the team.
Because whether I’m here or not….I’m part of the foundation that this team has been built on. And they will go out and they will play their hearts out next year. And I need each one of you guys to be here and continue to support us, and continue to build this foundation, continue to build this team, this organization, so that we can continue to be one of the most elite teams in the WNBA.
–Tamika Catchings
.@Catchin24 makes her final exit at @TheFieldhouse. #24Forever pic.twitter.com/NeWWAekZlq
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 22, 2016
For being a leader.
For inspiring a community.
For building a franchise.
For countless hugs.
For being you.Thank you, @Catchin24!
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 22, 2016
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
