Tamika Catchings, one of the greatest women ever to play the game of basketball, sits down at ALSD 2023 for a keynote interview.
Catchings' story is one of overcoming, of leading the Indiana Fever to its first championship, being named one of the WNBA’s top fifteen players in history after 16 seasons, and earning four Olympic gold medals.
Though the Naismith and Women’s Basketball Hall-of-Famer's on-court accolades shine, her work off the court seeks equal admiration.
As the very first ESPN Humanitarian Award in 2015 and with 14 years of community service with Catch the Stars Foundation, she's a trusted Indiana ally, business owner, and leader.
"Wait until you hear Tamika's story of perseverance, of resilience. She did not achieve all she did by accident. She is special. This interview will be special," says Amanda Verhoff, President of ALSD.
Statistical Highlights:
- Retired as all-time WNBA No. 2 scorer (7,380 points) and rebounder (3,316)
- Career leader in free throws (2,004) and steals (1,074)
- Career leader in postseason games played (68)
- Retired as the WNBA postseason leader in points (1,141), rebounds (598), free throws (356), steals (152), double-doubles (27), minutes played (2,310)
- First man or woman in recorded basketball history to record a quintuple-double (Duncanville High School in 1997)
Basketball Leadership:
- Indiana Fever reached the playoffs 13 times in Catchings’ 15 active seasons
- Indiana Fever reached the conference finals eight times, including five straight seasons.
- Indiana Fever won a WNBA championship in 2012
- Catchings played in every playoff game in Indiana Fever history through the time of her retirement
- WNBA’s first player ever to spend an entire career of 16 or more seasons with the same franchise
Personal and Professional Achievements:
- Creator and Leader of Catch the Stars Foundation
- Author of Catch A Star: Shining through Adversity to Become a Champion
- Operator of Tea’s Me Café and Tea’s Me Community Cafe near Indianapolis
- Ambassador with the NBA and WNBA
- Developmental committee with USA Basketball
- SEC ESPN Women’s Basketball Analyst
- General Manager for the Indiana Fever through 2022