Exactly 24 years ago today, on April 21, 2001, the Indiana Fever made the single most important decision in franchise history — one that would shape the identity, culture, and legacy of the team for decades to come.

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That decision? Drafting Tamika Catchings with the third overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft.

And the rest, as they say, is legendary.

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The Fever’s Forever GOAT

While many greats have passed through the WNBA, no one has meant more to the Indiana Fever than Tamika Catchings. From the moment she stepped onto the court, she redefined what leadership, loyalty, and greatness looked like.

Though she sat out her first season due to injury, Catchings exploded onto the scene in 2002 — winning WNBA Rookie of the Year and immediately becoming the heart and soul of the franchise.

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Over her 15-year career with Indiana, she racked up an astonishing list of accolades:

🏆 10× WNBA All-Star

🛡 5× WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

🥇 2012 WNBA Champion & Finals MVP

👑 WNBA MVP (2011)

🇺🇸 4× Olympic Gold Medalist

🏛 Hall of Famer (Inducted in 2020)

 

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But beyond the stats, it was her relentless hustle, clutch performances, and unwavering loyalty to the Fever that earned her the title of the GOAT.

 A Legacy That Still Echoes

Even after her retirement in 2016, Catchings remained a central figure in the organization — serving in the front office, mentoring young players, and continuing her community outreach through the Catch the Stars Foundation.

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To this day, you can still feel her influence on the current roster. Players like Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith, and now Caitlin Clark are stepping into a team culture built on the foundation Tamika laid: toughness, heart, and doing things the right way.

24 Years Later… We Remember

April 21, 2001, isn’t just a draft date — it’s the day a dynasty mindset was born in Indiana. It’s the day the Fever found their forever face of the franchise. And it’s a reminder that greatness doesn’t just show up in the box score — it builds legacies that last generations.

So today, we remember.

We celebrate.

We say it loud: