2001 Female Amateur Athlete of the Year

Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings has been referred to as an all-everything selection last year as a junior, when she played and started in all 37 games leading the Lady Vols to another outstanding season.

For starters, a few of her 2000 honors include Naismith Player of the Year; 2000 Victor Award; Rawlings/WBCA Player of the Year; Associated Press Player of the Year and first team AP All-American; U. S. Basketball Writers' Player of the Year; State Farm/Frontier Player of the Year; and Kodak All-American Team (for the third consecutive year), to name a few.

 
 

The Duncanville, Texas All-American comes by her talents honestly. Basketball is certainly a case of "All in the Family" as her father Harvey, played 11 years in the NBA with Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Her sister, Tauja, led the University of Illinois to Sweet 16 appearances as a freshman and sophomore.

Away from the basketball court, she was honored by the Reynolds Society Achievement Award which annually goes to an individual who has overcome hearing, vision or voice loss and who has distinguished themselves and provided inspiration to others. She received her award based on her strength of character and outstanding achievements as a scholar and an athlete.