INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Tamika Catchings cried as she reflected on 16 incredible years with the Indiana Fever Saturday night.
Less than a year after Catchings retired, the Fever retired her number 24 jersey during a halftime ceremony.
“And I don't know why I'm crying,” said Catchings during the ceremony during the Fever’s game with Los Angeles. “You never imagine as a little girl. You dream about your jersey being retired. You dream about winning championships, putting banners up in the rafters that way."
No Fever player will ever wear the number 24 again.
“It's our way of making sure that your place in this team's history will always be represented,” said Fever President Kelly Krauskopf “because of the incredible impact you have had on this organization."
Tamika's father Harvey helped her raise the banner to the rafters.
“My dad was pulling so fast I was just trying to keep up,” said Tamika. “In that moment, every tug is like every year. 2001 getting drafted all the way to 2017 and it's like a flash."
“This is something that when I have my kids, Lord willing, that I'll bring them back. They can never say that I wasn't good."
Her playing days are over, but Tamika remains close to the team and now honored by the Fever forever.
