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Q&A With Tamika Catchings: Olympic Gold, Pat Summitt, Johnsonville SuperHole IV, All-Time Starting Five

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 3: Tamika Catchings speaks to the media during a press conference for the NBA All-Star 2024 Announcement on October 3, 2022 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Ron Hoskins/Getty Images

Many would argue that Tamika Catchings is one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all-time (and if you don’t believe it, you can just ask her). 

Born to a basketball family and raised to love basketball before the WNBA was even an entity, Catchings became one of the feature players for Pat Summitt’s storied Tennessee women’s basketball program in the late-1990s. Her NCAA title in 1998 was just the start of a career that would span two decades and culminate in wins at every level of the game.

An NCAA title, four Olympic gold medals, two FIBA World Championships, a WNBA title, a WNBA MVP, a WNBA Finals MVP, 10 All-Star appearances, WNBA Rookie of the Year and 12 All-WNBA selections are just some of the accolades Catchings achieved as a member of the Tennessee Volunteers, U.S. basketball team and Indiana Fever between 1998 and 2016. 

Catchings remains the WNBA’s all-time leader in steals along as its postseason all-time leader in points, rebounds and steals. She was inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

We caught up with Catchings to discuss her basketball career, her relationship with the late-great Pat Summitt, her participation in the Johnsonville SuperHole IV, her all-time starting five and more.

This interview with Tamika Catchings is made possible by Johnsonville and the American Cornhole League (ACL).

The Spun: You’ve joined forces with Johnsonville and the ACL for the upcoming Johnsonville SuperHole IV. What made you want to get on board?

Tamika Catchings: Actually the organization reached out to me about a year ago and I enjoyed it last year. Then they reached out again about an opportunity for this year. When they told me the plan I just thought that it was super cool to be able to hand out with other Olympians. We don’t get to hang out… so it was nice to get to know them off the corn-field.

The Spun: And how have you been preparing for the main event?

Tamika: I’m all in, man, all in (laughs). No, my brother made it his game of choice for this summer so I’ve been practicing with him.

The Spun: You won an NCAA title, a WNBA title and four Olympic gold medals. Is there anything you didn’t accomplish that you regret missing out on?

Tamika: Oh my goodness, could we win some more championships? (laughs) Not really. Truly I’ve been blessed to have some great teammates, great coaches and great experiences overall, so I don’t feel like I missed out on anything… Maybe we could have won a few more championships, but everything happens for a reason. 

The Spun: Which women’s basketball players did you admire growing up?

Tamika: So we didn’t have the WNBA growing up… My first experience would have been in eighth grade watching Pat (Summitt) on the sideline, not necessarily a player on the court. 

As far as watching women, the 1996 Olympics team and watching Dawn, Lisa and Cheryl – they gave me a reason and became my guiding light to want to play and be an Olympian.

The Spun: What was the most eye-opening advice that Pat Summitt ever had for you during the many years you knew her?

Tamika: One of the things Pat stressed – and I always talk about this – is to not only be great in the classroom, on the court and in the community, but ultimately to be great people. 

I think that was the thing that stood up, more than how many points you put up and how many championships you win or what your grades are in college. Her biggest goal is that we would turn out alright and be great people and good members of society. 

Tamika Catchings at SuperHole IV (photo credit: James Lee for Johnsonville)

The Spun: Which of your four gold medals was the most fun to get?

Tamika: I think it’s hard to really say. When you think about it, the Olympics happen every four years and I was in the USA Olympic basketball family for 20 years. 

The first one in 2004, I was young – back in 2001 I was drafted to Indiana – and in 2002 it was my first opportunity to play for the senior team in the World Championship. 2004 was the Olympics in Athens and I was just so excited to have that opportunity. 

Each one of them, every four years you think about your regular life and how you change. I think about in a three-year, four-year period you’re in a totally different place physically and mentally. So each Olympic Games really was special.

The first one I was with the people I talked about – Dawn and Cheryl – having an opportunity to play with them… was absolutely amazing.

And in 2016, my last one, I got married earlier in the year so my husband got to come and my family was able to come as well. Knowing that it was my last one, going out there and having the opportunity to share that – the beginning and the end – it was special to share that. 

The Spun: Who would you have on the Mt. Rushmore of women’s basketball?

Tamika: I’d definitely have Lisa, I’d definitely have Cheryl… I would put myself up there… (thinks for a while) I’m gonna go… Dianna. And then for my for my point guard… I’m torn between Dawn and Sue. So can I put half a face for each?

The Spun: Sure, that’s perfect! Lastly, who is on your Mt. Rushmore of men’s basketball? 

Tamika: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James… and then I need a five… (thinks for a while) I’m gonna go Wilt (Chamberlain). Then I’m gonna go… (thinks for a long while) I’m putting Dr. J up there.

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You can read more of our interviews with athletes or media stars here.