Breaking: Tamika Catchings Inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
- In a well-deserved honor, former Lady Vols basketball star Tamika Catchings has been named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Catchings, who played under the legendary Pat Summitt from 1997 to 2001, was a crucial part of Tennessee’s undefeated 1997-98 national championship team.
A Storied Career
Catchings’ legacy in women’s basketball is unparalleled. She was a four-time All-American and the 1998 NCAA Freshman of the Year at Tennessee. Following her college career, she was selected third overall in the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, where she went on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Over 15 seasons in the WNBA, she earned 10 All-Star selections, won the WNBA MVP award in 2011, and led the Fever to a championship in 2012, earning Finals MVP honors.
Her success extended beyond professional basketball. Catchings represented Team USA in four Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), winning gold in each appearance. She also left her mark as an executive, serving as Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Indiana Fever.
Impact Beyond Basketball
Off the court, Catchings has dedicated herself to mentoring young athletes through her Catch the Stars Foundation, which provides educational and leadership programs for youth. She has also been a basketball analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network, further solidifying her influence on the game.
A Hall of Fame Career Recognized Again
Already a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Catchings now adds this Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honor to her long list of accolades. She joins a distinguished group of inductees, including fellow Lady Vols legend Chamique Holdsclaw.
The induction ceremony will take place on July 19, 2025, at the Omni Nashville Downtown, celebrating Catchings’ incredible contributions to basketball and her impact on Tennessee sports