Catchings named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for 5th time - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

For the fifth time in her career, Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings has been named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Catchings previously won the award in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. Catchings received 19 out of 41 votes, 11 more than Atlanta Dream guard/forward Angel McCoughtry (eight).

Los Angeles Sparks teammates forward Candace Parker (six) and guard Alana Beard (four), Atlanta Dream forward Sancho Lyttle (two), Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (one) and San Antonio Silver Stars forward Sophia Young (one) received the remaining votes.

This season Catchings finished first in the East and second overall in scoring among forwards (17.4 ppg) and third in the conference in field goals made (200). She led Indiana in rebounds (7.6 rpg), defensive rebounds (5.8 drpg), double-doubles (10), steals (2.06 spg) and blocks (0.85 bpg).

Honored as the Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile for August, Catchings ranked fourth in the league in defensive rebounds and double-doubles, fifth in steals, and sixth in rebounds. Catchings, referred to as Indiana's "do-everything" forward, is in her 12th season of league play.

The 2011 WNBA Most Valuable Player is also a seven-time WNBA All-Star. In honor of being named the Defensive Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile, Catchings will receive $5,000 and a trophy specially designed by Tiffany & Co.

2012 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY BOOST MOBILE RESULTS

19 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever

8 Angel McCoughtry Atlanta Dream

6 Candace Parker Los Angeles Sparks

4 Alana Beard Los Angeles Sparks

2 Sancho Lyttle Atlanta Dream

1 Tina Charles Connecticut Sun

1 Sophia Young San Antonio Silver Stars

ALL-TIME DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY BOOST MOBILE WINNERS

2012 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever

2011 Sylvia Fowles Chicago Sky

2010 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever

2009 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever

2008 Lisa Leslie Los Angeles Sparks

2007 Lauren Jackson Seattle Storm

2006 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever

2005 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever

2004 Lisa Leslie Los Angeles Sparks

2003 Sheryl Swoopes Houston Comets

2002 Sheryl Swoopes Houston Comets

2001 Debbie Black Miami Sol

2000 Sheryl Swoopes Houston Comets

1999 Yolanda Griffith Sacramento Monarchs

1998 Teresa Weatherspoon New York Liberty

1997 Teresa Weatherspoon New York Liberty