Tamika Catchings Aiming To Make History in Rio Olympics

Indiana Fever standout and ten-time WNBA All-Star Tamika Catchings announced in an official statement during a television interview last season that she intends to close the curtain on her illustrious career after the WNBA 2016 season; the three-time Olympic gold medalist with the United States Women's National Basketball Team (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012) claimed a historic WNBA title triumph with Indiana Fever in 2012. The uber-gifted Catchings - who was selected to the honorific WNBA All-Decade team - was chosen third overall in the WNBA Draft 2001 by the Indiana Fever, with the talented 36-year-old star earning WNBA Rookie of the Year 2002 honors, and presently standing as the WNBA all-time leader in both steals and free throw categories throughout her successful 14 year basketball career; the New Jersey native entered the WNBA 2015 season ranked as the WNBA's third-leading scorer of all-time and the fourth-leading rebounder of all-time. The one-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and five-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year won the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award 2011, and was presented with the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award 2012. Furthermore, Tamika Catachings has twice been the welcomed recipient of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award courtesy of her positive attitude, undying commitment to success and strict dedication in adhering to the spirit of the game both on and off the court; Tamika Catchings has had a distinct hearing disability since a child, yet has overcome the odds stacked against her with her innate strength and character to pursue her wildest dreams with endless endeavor and a natural ability for basketball. Catchings' proud career as a professional athlete has eternally been associated with Indiana Fever due to her unmatched loyalty and success on the court in the WNBA. Indiana Fever possesses an unmatched WNBA benchmark with ten consecutive WNBA playoff appearances, while advancing to the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals in seven out of ten seasons. Indiana Fever won the WNBA Championship 2012 and previously reached the WNBA Finals 2009; Tamika Catchings has durably competed in each and every WNBA playoff contest in franchise history, including its inaugural showing during her WNBA rookie season in 2002. In 2011, Catchings was voted as one of the top 15 players in WNBA history. With the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games drawing closer, Catchings now intends to make history once again in claiming her fourth Olympic gold medal and go out in a blaze of glory as a champion.