The Real MVPS: Five Athletes Who Give back

–  If you could choose your child's sports hero, who would he -- or she -- be? The best athlete or the most giving person? Many pro athletes shine as brightly off the field as on. Here are five who give back in amazing ways from Thanksgiving to Christmas: 

Tamika Catchings: Before Thanksgiving, Catchings, who stars for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association, hosts a fitness clinic for youth players. Admission is free, but Catchings asks each child to bring 10 canned goods. Later, the kids, accompanied by the hoops star, stop by the local food bank with their donation. At Christmas, Tamika's foundation, Catch the Stars, teams with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association to host a fun Christmas party for 100 disadvantaged children. More >

Fever stars to conduct Holiday Camps

– Looking for a perfect Christmas gift for that aspiring young female hoopster in your family? Well look no further as two of the more recognizable names from your Indiana Fever have got you covered and then some, with their instructional basketball camps over the holiday break.

On Dec. 21 and 22, stand out point guard Tully Bevilaqua will conduct her camp at The Fieldhouse, at 11825 Technology Drive in Fishers. The camp for girls ages six to 17, runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day and will emphasize instruction on shooting, ball handling, and defensive skills. The cost to attend is $ 90.00.

Each camper will receive a camp shirt and will hear from guest speaker and Fever head coach Lin Dunn.

For additional information contact (317) 508-5625 or e-mail tully.bevilaqua@yahoo.com.

Tamika Catchings will conduct her annual Youth Holiday Basketball Camp at Warren Central High School, 9500 E.16th St.

The camp, which is for girls ages nine to 14, will be Dec. 28 through 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an awards luncheon for campers and parents from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the final day.

Campers will receive lunch each day and a camp shirt. More >

Tamika Catchings: A Sirius (or Serious) Star

Not all stars look the same. According to scientists it’s because each star has its own “personality” defined by its unique color, shape, size and age. Sirius is considered by astronomers to be the brightest single shining star in the celestial sphere.

Back here on earth, on the hardwood of a professional sports arena, Tamika Catchings deserves Sirius – or serious – consideration as the brightest star in the WNBA. A five-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Catchings has been piling up a laundry list of professional accomplishments since arriving on the professional scene in 2002. More >

Heart Personified Tamika Catchings captures the essence of the WNBA

SLAMONLINE.COM-by Ben York-All too often, the term 'heart' is thrown around in professional sports to describe an athlete's personality and demeanor. In doing so, perhaps, the phrase has lost a bit of its luster and prestige. 

It's quite unfortunate, really, because there is simply no better term to describe Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings. 

In terms of her basketball prowess, her resume speaks for itself; NCAA All-American and National Champion, six-time WNBA All-Star, seven-time All-WNBA team, three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, finished in the top 3 in MVP voting in five of her eight seasons in the WNBA, and lead the Fever in points, rebounds, assists and steals in all of her first six seasons in the league. More >

EDITORIAL: Indiana Fever deserves support

No matter who wins the WNBA Championship (the fifth and deciding game was after IBJ’s print deadline), the Indiana Fever have demonstrated that running a professional sports franchise isn’t just a dollars-and-cents proposition. It also requires heart. And that’s what the Fever have in abundance, from ownership to management to the players on the floor.

It all starts with the commitment of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Fever and could easily have thrown in the towel on a team that has had its ups and downs with attendance and sponsorships and has never made a profit. But ownership believes in the product and that a state with a basketball culture should have a women’s professional team.

When creating the franchise in 1999, they turned to Kelly Krauskopf, someone intimately familiar with the new league, to run it. Krauskopf had helped found the WNBA as its first director of operations. She had a brief stint away from the league before being lured to Indianapolis, where she’s been the only general manager the franchise has had. More >

Indiana Fever return

Photo gallery from the Fever's return following Game 5 in Phoenix. More >

Indiana misses for 1st title

Cold-shooting Fever must head to Phoenix for decisive Game 5

The Indiana Fever are heading to the Arizona desert in an attempt to end a championship drought.

The Phoenix Mercury squelched the mood Wednesday night inside Conseco Fieldhouse, where a sellout of 18,165 was ready to celebrate. The Mercury won using the most basic of basketball strategies — making shots while opponents missed.

Cappie Pondexter’s 22 points and the Mercury’s 10 3-pointers resulted in a 90-77 victory, tying the WNBA Finals.

The best-of-five series is 2-2. The decisive Game 5 will be Friday night at Phoenix.

The Mercury overcame a 2-1 deficit to win a WNBA title in 2007, and they are poised to repeat that feat. The Fever, in their 10th season, are in their first WNBA Finals. More >

Homecourt no guarantee as Mercury look to win second title in 3 years

PHOENIX — There is no homecourt advantage in these WNBA playoffs.

Each team can claim a victory in the other's arena, and that should be some comfort to the Indiana Fever when they face the Phoenix Mercury in the deciding Game 5 on Friday night.

In fact, Indiana has won two of three in Phoenix, once in the regular season then again in Game 2. The most important road victory, though, came when Phoenix got back in its fast-paced groove for a 90-77 victory Wednesday night in Indianapolis.

That sent the series back to Arizona, where Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Penny Taylor and the rest of the Mercury can claim the franchise's second title in three years.

"Our strength all year has been our confidence in our attack and I felt like we got that back," Taylor said after Wednesday's win. "We were playing with confidence and attacking every single time down the floor and that's hard to defend for 40 minutes."

There was no player or coach availability as the teams traveled on Thursday.

The teams have traded wins since the Mercury opened the series with a wild 120-116 overtime win in the highest-scoring game in WNBA history. More >

Catchings has double-double as Fever closes in on First title

– INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tamika Catchings had 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists as the Indiana Fever moved within one victory of the W.N.B.A. title Sunday by defeating the Phoenix Mercury, 86-85, in Game 3 of the finals.   Ebony Hoffman made two decisive plays for the Fever: she hit the jumper that gave her team a 1-point lead with 57 seconds left, then blocked Tangela Smith’s shot from the free-throw line with a second remaining. She did it all with a sprained right shoulder.

“My shoulder just popped out and went back in,” she said. “It’s just going to hurt.”

Indiana took a 2-1 lead in the series. It can clinch its first championship by winning at home on Wednesday. More >

Time on Fever's side in Game 3

INDIANAPOLIS -- In the space of 3.4 seconds rested the difference between the Indiana Fever having a chance to win a championship at home or losing the advantage of being back here in the Midwest.

It was a beautiful fall football afternoon here in the Heartland … but it was also a Sunday for hoops. The Colts were over in Lucas Oil Field finishing off the visiting Seahawks around tip-off time at sold-out Conseco Fieldhouse.

About two hours, one popped-out shoulder, one questionable technical foul and numerous athletic drives to the basket later, what was left was 3.4 seconds. The Fever had a one-point lead; the Mercury had the ball.

And this WNBA Finals series once again had viewers on the edge of their seats.

An overtime contest that was the highest-scoring game in WNBA history the first night. A Fever victory in which the Mercury still pushed Indiana in the closing minutes of Game 2. Then this battle, which was a thrill ride.

"It's more nerve-wracking than coaching," said one prominent spectator who has been on the sidelines for more than 1,000 victories.

Pat Summitt and the rest of her coaching staff at the University of Tennessee made the trip from Knoxville to support the Fever's Tamika Catchings in her first WNBA Finals. More >

Catchings flirts with triple-double, Fever beats Mercury to tie WNBA finals 1-1

Phoenix -- Tamika Catchings fell one rebound shy of the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history and the Indiana Fever beat the Phoenix Mercury 93-84 on Thursday night to square the best-of-five series 1-1.

Catchings had 19 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to help the Fever steal home-court advantage in the series with the next two games in Indianapolis, beginning with Game 3 on Sunday.  The WNBA defensive player of the year for the third time, Catchings also harassed league MVP Diana Taurasi into a 7-for-22 shooting night. Taurasi finished with 20 points.

The cold-shooting Mercury were without supersub Penny Taylor most of the second half. The Aussie, who scored all 14 of her points in the first half, left with a cut lip with 3:33 to play in the third quarter. Taurasi was 2 of 10 on 3-pointers and teammate Cappie Pondexter 0 of 4.

The Mercury struggled on offense two nights after a 120-116 overtime victory in Game 1, the highest-scoring contest in WNBA history. Phoenix shot 39.7 percent for the game and was just 5 of 20 in the third quarter, when the Fever built a 17-point lead.

Catchings led six Indiana players in double figures. Rookie Briann January, a standout at nearby Arizona State, added 16 points, as did Ebony Hoffman. Tammy Sutton-Brown and Katie Douglas each scored 14, and Jessica Davenport added 10. More>

Could a WNBA Championship save the Indiana Fever?

OK, I admit it. I'm doing something very anti-sportswriter here and I'm rooting for someone - and something.

I'm hoping that Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever win the WNBA championship. There, I said it.

It's not that I have anything against the Phoenix Mercury. Very good team. Very entertaining team. Best player in the league in Diana Taurasi, who was named the WNBA's most valuable player Tuesday.

Phoenix, which is tied with Indiana 1-1 heading into Sunday's Game 3 (3 p.m., ESPN2) of the best-of-five WNBA Finals series, is certainly championship worthy.Phoenix, which is tied with Indiana 1-1 heading into Sunday's Game 3 (3 p.m., ESPN2) of the best-of-five WNBA Finals series, is certainly championship worthy.

Indiana is too. But the Fever also gets the sentimental vote. At least mine, anyway.

Ironically, despite increased ticket sales, new sponsors and a spectacular run through the regular season and playoffs that included an 11-game winning streak, the Fever is in danger of being, well, spiked. More >

Fever: Pace isn't a problem, mistakes are

PHOENIX -- Maybe the Indiana Fever can't win playing the Phoenix Mercury's game. But they haven't given up trying.

The Mercury head into tonight's Game 2 of the WNBA Finals with a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. That came as a result of Tuesday's 120-116 overtime victory that was the highest-scoring game in league history. In the Fever's first WNBA Finals appearance, they scored 100 points from the field -- a playoff record of 45 baskets, 10 of them 3-pointers. They shot 56 percent.

The game's fast pace, coach Lin Dunn contended, was not the problem. She blamed the loss on "inexcusable fouls," poor rebounding and soft defense.

"All the things that put (Phoenix) in position to win the game are things that we can correct," Dunn said.

Fever forward Ebony Hoffman conceded that the Mercury "bait'' opponents into taking quick shots, waiting for them to miss so the Mercury can initiate fast breaks. She, too, said the pace was not the problem.

"Our one-on-one defense was terrible," Hoffman said. "They had way too many offensive boards, which is insulting to us."

The Mercury outrebounded the Fever by seven and led 24-15 in second-chance points. More >

Mercury, Fever have tough act to follow in Game 2

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever have a tough act to follow in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

Phoenix's record-shattering 120-116 overtime victory in Game 1 Tuesday night still had the Mercury's Diana Taurasi shaking her head on Wednesday.

"It was huge shot after shot," she said. "It was exciting to be in. It was really exciting to be in. I haven't gotten a chance to see it and I don't want to see it. I always say with games like that, I don't want to go back and watch them."

Instead, Taurasi and the rest of the Mercury will try to look ahead to Game 2 of the best-of-5 series on Thursday night, when they will look to avoid a letdown.

Phoenix coach Corey Gaines tried to paint his team as one "with a chip on our shoulder."

"We're still the team people don't care for the way we play," he said. "It's not traditional play. There are still people who say you don't win playing that way."

It's hard to believe anyone didn't care for the way the teams played in Monday night's opener, the highest-scoring game in WNBA history. More >

WNBA Finals: Prolific Offense vs. tough defense

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury are all about offense, with All-Stars Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter leading a talented cast of scorers in search of the team's second WNBA title in three years.

The Indiana Fever built their identity on defense, a team that finally ended Detroit's dominance in the East and has the league's defensive player of the year, Tamika Catchings, geared up for a one-on-one showdown with Taurasi.

"Those are two amazing players," said Indiana rookie and ex-Arizona State standout Briann January. "Olympians going head-to-head, going hard. They are two of the hardest-working women in this game. They go at it. Their passion for the game is clear when you watch them play." More >

Who has the edge in the finals?

A look at how WNBA Finals foes Phoenix and Indiana match up heading into Tuesday's Game 1 (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET):

Backcourt

Both teams have their so-called star power at guard/wing. For Phoenix, Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter start alongside point guard Temeka Johnson. Indiana has Katie Douglas and point guard Tully Bevilaqua, with wing player Tamika Catchings also handling some traditional guard duties.

With most other matchups, you'd have to give Indiana the edge here, thanks to Bevilaqua's court savvy and experience and Douglas' scoring prowess. But … not when Taurasi and Pondexter are in the discussion. They were dominant forces in the 2007 championship season, and Taurasi and Pondexter have been even better this year.
Advantage: The edge goes to Phoenix. More >

Kravitz: Fever get over the hump, into our hearts

When it was over and all the Eastern Conference hardware had been distributed, Tamika Catchings, bruised and battered and loving every bit of her pain, ran around the home court and high-fived the multitudes.

This was more than a conference championship and the Indiana Fever's first-ever trip to the WNBA Finals; this was a love-in, a signature moment in the history of a franchise that had not, until Saturday, truly grabbed the heart of this city. On a night when the Fever truly mattered in ways they never mattered before, the home team provided the huge crowd with a lasting memory, a brutish 72-67 victory over the arch-nemesis Detroit Shock. More >

Fever top Shock, reach first WNBA finals

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever advanced to the WNBA finals for the first time, beating the defending champion Detroit Shock 72-67 on Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Fever, who were eliminated by the Shock the last three seasons, open the finals on Tuesday against Phoenix.

Tammy Sutton-Brown led the Fever with 17 points. Katie Douglas scored 14, and Ebony Hoffman and Tamika Catchings added 10 apiece. Catchings also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. More >

Shock falls to Fever, who force decisive Game 3

–  Tamika Catchings scored 22 points as the Indiana Fever defeated the Detroit Shock, 79-75, tonight in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals in Indianapolis to tie the series at 1-1.

Catchings also had nine rebounds, six steals and five assists. Katie Douglas scored 14 points, Ebony Hoffman added 13 and Briann January 12.

Deanna Nolan scored 23 points for the Shock and Shavonte Zellous added 19 off the bench. Cheryl Ford had eight points and 13 rebounds.

The Shock outrebounded Indiana, 41-27, but the Fever was 20-for-30 from the free-throw line. More >

Tamika Catchings Named 2009 WNBA Defensive Player of the year

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2009 – Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings was named the 2009 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Kia Motors, the league announced today. Catchings received 34 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, beating out the Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker and Atlanta Dream’s Erika de Souza, each of whom garnered two votes. Catchings previously won the award in 2005 and 2006 and joins Sheryl Swoopes as the only three-time winners of this award.

In honor of being named the Defensive Player of the Year presented by Kia Motors, Catchings will receive $5,000 and a trophy specially designed by Tiffany & Co. More >

Tamika Must Lead for Fever to catch up

The Indiana Fever are on the brink of elimination from the WNBA playoffs. It will be up to Tamika Catchings to yank them back.

Indiana opened the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday night in Detroit with a thud, falling to the Shock 72-56 after losing an 11-point lead. Catchings, who had scored a combined 50 points in the Fever's first-two playoffs games finished with nine.

And while Indiana is much less "The Tamika Catchings Show" than it used to be, she is still the engine. More >

Fever fall to Shock 72-56

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) - Shavonte Zellous scored 23 points and Deanna Nolan added 22 as the Detroit Shock easily cruised to a 72-56 victory over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Shock, seeking their fourth straight trip to the WNBA finals, have knocked out the Fever in each of the last three postseasons. Game 2 is Friday night at Indiana.

Katie Douglas led Indiana with 16 points, but the Fever couldn't overcome Detroit's edge in rebounds and turnovers. More >

Fever's Catchings 1st team, Douglas 2nd

Based on voting for all-league teams, Tamika Catchings has a better chance of becoming the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player than Katie Douglas. And Catchings might have little chance against MVP front-runner Diana Taurasi of Phoenix.

Catchings was the only Indiana Fever player chosen to the All-WNBA first team announced Wednesday. Her teammate, Douglas, was selected to the second team.

League scoring champion Taurasi led the voting with 201 points, followed by Seattle center Lauren Jackson with 179. Also on the first team: San Antonio guard Becky Hammon, 169; Catchings, 167; and Phoenix guard Cappie Pondexter, 151. More >

Series preview: Indiana Fever vs. Detroit Shock

The 2009 Eastern Conference Finals between the top-seeded Indiana Fever and third-seeded Detroit Shock figures to be a grind-it-out battle, as it features two teams that have utilized defense and physicality to reach elite status over the past few years. That you can count on. But the inevitable style of play is just one of the many layers this intriguing series is comprised of.

The Fever had by far the best overall regular season of any team in the East, posting a 22-12 record and three wins in four matchups versus Detroit, and are playing in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2007 after an opening round sweep of the Washington Mystics. In that last trip to the conference finals, however, the Fever fell to the Shock -- the team that has stood in Indiana's way for the past three seasons. That defeat and Indiana's overall playoff series record of 0-3 against Detroit, including an opening-round ouster last year, will be weighing on the minds of Fever players as they attempt to advance to their first WNBA Finals in team history. More >

Fever hope to end playoff frustration against Shock

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Indiana Fever are one step away from the WNBA finals. The remaining obstacle, though, is one they've never been able to overcome.

The Fever open the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday against the Detroit Shock, the defending champion and the team that has eliminated Indiana in each of the last three postseasons. All three times, Detroit went to the finals and won titles twice. "We know they've put us out, and, in a way, it is better for us to play Detroit," said MVP candidate Tamika Catchings of the Fever.

"All we've talked about this year is Detroit owning the East, and now we've got to go there and beat them if we want to win the championship."

Catchings has been on the losing side of all three series and is desperate to end the streak.

"All of those series are on my mind right now," she said. "Every year, we've thought it was going to be our year, and they've been the ones to knock us out, so this year, our focus is even better." More >

Familiar foes to meet in Eastern finals

Indiana should take some time to enjoy its Tamika Catchings-led sweep of Washington in the WNBA playoffs' first round before the Fever start worrying about Detroit.

(Pause.)

OK, that's enough time. Now Indiana moves on to prepare for the Shock. Sorry to rain on the Fever's first-round victory parade, but that was the "expected" part of the postseason for Indiana. The top seed was supposed to get past the Mystics. Next up, though, is the franchise that has ended Indy's season the past three years. This year, East top seed Indiana is considered the favorite; meanwhile, for a lot of this season, it didn't look as if Detroit was even going to make the playoffs. More >

Mystics eliminated by Fever in overtime

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 19 - As Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings toed the free throw line with 2.6 seconds remaining in regulation of Game 2 of the WNBA Eastern Conference Semifinals there was absolutely nothing the Washington Mystics could do to preserve their precarious lead. Catchings sunk one free throw then another to the roar of a racous Conseco Fieldhouse crowd to tie the game and force overtime.

The Mystics had played desperately to extend their season for 40 minutes, but in the time it took Indiana's all-star to sink two free throws none of it mattered. In overtime, the Fever once again showed their veteran savvy against the Mystics, showing the patience necessary to capture an 81-74 win and a series victory to end Washington's season. More >

Tamika Catchings talked earlier this summer about having her kettle on "boil" all of the time. It would be that way no matter what had happened in her basketball career, because that's just the way she is wired.

Still, some sense of unfinished business always fuels Catchings. She has an NCAA championship, but that was 11 years ago, when she was just a freshman at Tennessee. The seasons that followed brought an upset loss to Duke in the Elite Eight, a national title game loss to UConn and an ACL injury that ended her senior season prematurely.

She has two Olympic gold medals, and has won titles overseas in Korea. But the WNBA championship would mean a great deal to Catchings, who has never even had the chance to play in the league finals. More >

Catchings, Fever heat up in fourth quarter for 88-79 win over Mystics in playoff opener

Fever heat up for 88-79 playoff win over Mystics

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Tamika Catchings had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and the top-seeded Indiana Fever opened the fourth quarter with a 17-3 run to pull away from the Washington Mystics for an 88-79 victory in the opener of their Eastern Conference first-round series Thursday night.

Katie Douglas added 19 points and Briann January was a spark off the bench with 16 — all in the second half — for the Fever, who entered the fourth quarter down 58-56.

Indiana came into the playoffs having lost seven of its last 10 games, but the Fever turned up their noted defensive pressure late and improved to 5-0 against the Mystics this season and 17-4 in their last 21 meetings. More >

Catchings the Fever: Indiana takes Game 1 In Washington

Washington, DC -- (Sports Network) - Tamika Catchings recorded game-highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds, pacing the top-seeded Indiana Fever to an 88-79 win in Game 1 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series with Washington. Indiana will look to wrap up the three-game series at home on Saturday. Katie Douglas and Tammy Sutton-Brown logged 19 and 12 points, respectively, for Indiana, while Briann January was a spark off the bench with 16 points. More >

Fever's Catchings shares spotlight with Douglas

What would Peyton Manning do if the Indianapolis Colts told him to share time with another quarterback? What would Reggie Miller, in his prime, have done if the Indiana Pacers had asked him to accept a diminished role?

Tamika Catchings has been the Indiana Fever's version of Manning and Miller, the star of the team and a pillar in the community. It's hard to speculate on how the two men might react, but we know what Catchings has done in becoming a co-star with Katie Douglas. More >

Fever-Mystics Preview

The Indiana Fever looked like obvious Eastern Conference favorites for most of the regular season. Going into the playoffs, they look more like the walking wounded.

A number of injuries to key players will be a primary concern for the top-seeded but reeling Fever as they open the postseason on the road Thursday night against the Washington Mystics, who could also be dealing with a weakened top scorer as they try for their first playoff victory in five years.

An 11-game winning streak June 9-July 17 gave Indiana a stranglehold on the East, but the Fever (22-12) hobbled down the stretch, losing seven of their final 10 games.

They played some of that time without leading scorer Katie Douglas (ankle) and starting center Tammy Sutton-Brown (toe), although both are expected to suit up Thursday. There's less certainty surrounding All-Star defensive whiz Tamika Catchings, who left Sunday's regular season finale - a 95-85 loss at Connecticut - after a collision. More >

Fever prepare to make playoff push

They haven't won it yet. Haven't even won a game in these playoffs yet.

But the Indiana Fever have a sense of what a WNBA championship might feel like. That's why they have an elevated sense of urgency heading into Thursday's Game 1 against the Washington Mystics in a best-of-three series.

"This is a veteran group. We're not getting any younger," guard Katie Douglas said. "We need to get it done now."

The Fever are 2-8 in road games in five previous playoff appearances in their 10-year history. They had the best record in the East (22-12) and will have home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs. But as the No. 1 seed, they start at College Park, Md., before returning home for Game 2 Saturday and, if necessary, Game 3 Monday. More >

Fever tie for best record

NEW YORK -- The Indiana Fever have higher goals than just the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They want the best record in the WNBA and the home-court advantage throughout the postseason that comes with it.

Tamika Catchings had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Katie Douglas also scored 17, and the Fever beat the New York Liberty 69-63 Tuesday night. Briann January added 12 points for Indiana (22-10), which had already clinched the top spot in the East. The Fever tied Phoenix for the league's best record. More >

Fever-Sky Preview

Indiana (22-10) had the conference's No. 1 seed wrapped up by the end of August, but with five losses in six games from Aug. 20-Sept. 4 - including two without leading scorer Katie Douglas - it certainly wasn't playing its best basketball as the postseason drew closer.

The Fever have bounced back with wins in their past two games, however, keeping themselves level with Phoenix for the league's top record and home-court advantage in a potential finals matchup between the two. Douglas and Tamika Catchings led the way with 17 points apiece Tuesday in a 69-63 win in New York.  More >

Notes from the Indiana Fever

Our Sports Central-Indiana Fever Honors candidates

Tully Bevilaqua: All-WNBA and WNBA All-Defensive Team | Tamika Catchings: MVP, All-WNBA, Defensive Player of the Year and WNBA All-Defensive Team | Tamecka Dixon: Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award | Katie Douglas: MVP, All-WNBA and WNBA All-Defensive Team | Lin Dunn: Coach of the Year | Ebony Hoffman: All-WNBA | Briann January: Rookie of the Year | Jessica Moore: Most Improved Player of the Year | Tammy Sutton-Brown: All-WNBA

Before I relay a slew of Fever defensive notes, I'll include just a couple of bullet points on the Fever's two MVP candidates, Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas - both of which are prominent in Fever steals notes below. More >

Catchings, Douglas lead Fever past Liberty

NEW YORK -- Tamika Catchings had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Katie Douglas also scored 17 and the Indiana Fever beat the New York Liberty 69-63 Tuesday night.  Briann January added 12 points for Indiana (22-10), which has already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference and tied Phoenix for the WNBA's best record. January scored six points in the final 4:55 as the Fever closed the game with a 10-4 run. More >

Catchings, January lead Fever past Mystics

INDIANAPOLIS — Tamika Catchings scored 20 points and reserve rookie Briann January added 16 and fueled a fourth-quarter surge as the Indiana Fever beat the Washington Mystics 72-61 Sunday.

Tammy Sutton-Brown had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Katie Douglas returned from an ankle injury to score 12 points for the Eastern Conference champion Fever (21-10), who snapped a three-game skid in their regular-season home finale. More >

Improved Shooting a must for Fever

What the Indiana Fever are trying to do is a contradiction in terms: Win basketball games without making baskets.

The Fever head into today's home finale against the Washington Mystics with the worst shooting percentage (.402) in the 13-team league.

Research reveals that no team has ever won the championship, or reached the WNBA Finals, with such a low ranking. The team advancing the furthest with such poor shooting was the Fever, who ranked last (.400) in 2005 and made the Eastern Conference finals. More >

Minus Douglas, Fever can't keep pace with Mercury

You know that sports cliche about great defense always beating great offense?

That doesn’t always apply, at least not in the WNBA. Then again, there was nothing great about the Indiana Fever’s defense Wednesday night.

The Phoenix Mercury shot 59 percent and went through the Fever like a threshing machine through Indiana farmland, 106-90 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

More >

Catchings Leads US National Team in Wins

AVON, Ind. -- Tommy Summerlin was stunned when his parents picked him up at school in a white, stretch limousine for his birthday.

It was just a precursor.  The real fun was waiting at home.

Indiana Pacers Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert, plus Tamika Catchings and Shay Murphy of the Fever, greeted Tommy as he exited the limo.

He was stunned, wide-eyed. The players wished him a happy birthday and gave him high-fives.  More >

Tamika Catchings scores 20 points to lead Fever past Silver Stars

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's "losing streak" was short lived.

The Fever dropped back-to-back games during their recent West Coast trip, the most consecutive losses they've had this season. Things got back to normal for the Fever on Thursday. Tamika Catchings had 20 points and eight rebounds, and the Fever beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 77-66 in WNBA action to tie a franchise record with their 13th consecutive home win. More >

Fever clinches second place and Homecourt Advantage in East Semifinals

INDIANAPOLIS - By virtue of its win tonight over San Antonio and a loss by the Atlanta Dream, the Indiana Fever has clinched at least second place in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. By clinching the first or second seed in the conference, Indiana has secured homecourt advantage for the Eastern Conference Semifinals which begin Sept. 16-17.

Indiana will host Game 2 of the series, Sept. 18 or 19, and if necessary, Game 3, Sept. 20 or 21. More >

Douglas, Catchings won't share MVP, but they should

The Indiana Fever have a conundrum.

Is Katie Douglas their MVP candidate, or is it Tamika Catchings? When the WNBA's best team embarks on a public-relations blitz in a few weeks to promote its players for postseason awards, do they bang the drum loudly for Douglas, their best scorer, or Catchings, their best all-around player?

Catchings chosen for US National team

Tamika Catchings is on course to try for a third Olympic gold medal in women's basketball. Going for gold is something her Indiana Fever teammate, Katie Douglas, might never get to do.

The 30-year-old Catchings was one of eight players selected Monday to the USA Basketball national team for 2009-12. Others were two-time gold medalists Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, as well as 2008 gold medalists Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Kara Lawson, Candace Parker and Cappie Pondexter. More >

Fever fall to Los Angeles Sparks 75-63

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lisa Leslie surprised herself with her latest milestone. Leslie had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and became the first WNBA player to reach 6,000 career points as the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Indiana Fever 75-63 on Monday night.

Leslie reached the milestone with an 11-foot jumper as the shot-clock buzzer sounded with 11.9 seconds left in the second quarter. More >

Catchings has her mind set on one thing: winning first WNBA title

Tamika Catchings is in love with the fairy tale.

She wants to fall in love with the perfect guy, get married, start a family, maybe even get a house with a white picket fence.

But, here's the thing. Catchings also is in love with basketball.  More >

Catchings to host annual Back to School Celebration

The Catch the Stars Foundation is hosting its third annual Back to School Celebration on Sunday, July 26th at Washington Park Family Center from 2-4pm.  The purpose of this program is to get local youth motivated and excited about the upcoming school year. Over 350 backpacks filled with school supplies are given to students grades 1-12. The event also includes free food, entertainment and a community fair. More >

WNBA All-Star weekend festivities kicked off this morning with a court dedication ceremony and a basketball clinic led by players and Sun head coach Mike Thibault.  Former Stanford and WNBA star Jennifer Azzi hosted the community event at the Windham Recreation Center in Willimantic, Conn. Toyota and the Connecticut Sun unveiled a refurbished basketball court featuring the logos of the Sun and the WNBA Cares initiative. The Sun’s Asjha Jones cut the ceremonial red ribbon.

Along with Jones, several other WNBA All-Stars including Charde Houston, Katie Douglas, Tamika Catchings and Cappie Pondexter attended the event and ran drills during the clinic. More >

Catchings also had three steals on her 30th birthday as the Fever (12-3) used their pressure defense to force the Mystics into committing 20 turnovers and turn a five-point, fourth-quarter lead into their seventh double-digit win of the year. More >

Dreams Are For Catching: Tamika Catchings, Power Forward, Business Woman, Author

The little girl with the big smile knew she was special, and if she worked hard enough, she would be able to elevate herself above the label of being just the little girl with the hearing impediment. All it took was a dream or two, and the will and hard work to make it happen. After all, dreams ARE for catching, right?  More >

Fever's Catchings tops WNBA All-Star balloting

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA says Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings has received the most votes for next week's All-Star game.

Catchings received 94,316 votes in final results announced Tuesday, earning her sixth selection to the midseason contest and leading the balloting for the second time in her career. More >

All Smiles at Black Expo's "Children's Day"

Every kid at the Black Expo's "Children's Day" sported a smile while making their way through the massive playgrounds, whether they jumped in bouncy houses, did defensive drills with the Indiana Fever's Tamika Catchings or performed dance moves onstage to hip-hop tunes. More >

Fever beat Dream 78-74 to win 8th straight

INDIANAPOLIS — Just when it looked like the Indiana Fever’s winning streak was in jeopardy, Tammy Sutton-Brown took over. Indiana’s center scored seven of her 22 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Fever past the Atlanta Dream 78-74 on Sunday for their franchise-best eighth straight victory.

“Tammy has been playing phenomenal the last couple games, not just tonight,” said Indiana forward Tamika Catchings, who added 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals. “It seems like she’s getting fire in her. She needs to play like that every game.” More >

Catchings Exclusive Fundraiser Night & Book Release pictures

Tamika Catchings' Catch the Stars Foundation held an Exclusive Fundraiser Night and book release party following the Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game on Sunday, July 5th.  Click here to view pictures from the event. More >

The Fever responded by holding the Sun scoreless for nearly five minutes to start the third quarter and cruising to a 67-53 win Thursday for a franchise-record seventh straight victory. More >

Tamika Catchings and Candice Wiggins Named WNBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK, June 29, 2009 – Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever and Candice Wiggins of the Minnesota Lynx were named the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28.

Catchings wins the 12th Player of the Week award of her career after averaging 18.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 3.5 assists for the week. She ranked second in the league for the week in rebounds per game and third in steals per game. Catchings led the Fever to a home-and-home series sweep of the New York Liberty to run the team’s winning streak to a franchise-record tying six games. More >

NEW YORK — Katie Douglas scored all of her 28 points after halftime, and Ebony Hoffman hit two free throws with 4.8 seconds left in overtime to lift the Indiana Fever to an 82-81 victory over the New York Liberty on Friday night.

Tamika Catchings had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Ebony Hoffman added 17 points and 14 rebounds for Indiana (5-2), which rallied from a 17-point deficit late in the third quarter and won its fifth straight. The Fever also rallied from 17 points behind to win their previous game. More >

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to beat the Detroit Shock 82-70 on Sunday evening and deny Rick Mahorn his first win as Detroit coach.

It was Mahorn’s second game as head coach since Bill Laimbeer resigned.

Katie Douglas scored 23 points and Tamika Catchings had 15 points and six assists for the Fever (4-2), who won their fourth straight after losing their first two. More >

Fever can boost their confidence

Catchings would relish 2-game sweep of perennial playoff nemisis Detroit

Another one today against the Detroit Shock, and Tamika Catchings will feel pretty good.  She compared these two games against Detroit-the first a 66-54- She compared these two games against Detroit — the first a 66-54 road victory on Friday and the second at 6 p.m. at Conseco Fieldhouse — to the playoffs. More >

Catchings, Fever ruin Mahorn's debut as Shock coach

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Shock had a new coach and a returning All-Star, and it wasn't enough to beat the Indiana Fever.

FINAL: Fever 66, Shock 54

Tamika Catchings scored 15 points Friday night and the Indiana Fever beat Detroit 66-54 in Rick Mahorn's debut as Shock coach. More >

The Indiana Fever is celebrating its 10th year as a franchise, and it is trying to come up with an All-Decade team.

You can go to the Indiana Fever homepage and vote for the 10 Fever players you feel are worthy of making the team. You have your choice of 24 players, including six players from this year's roster.

The top three vote-getters at this point are Tamika Catchings, Tully Bevilaqua, and Ebony Hoffman. Below are my picks with analysis as to why they deserve the honor. More >

Fever's three point flurry holds off Sparks

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Ebony Hoffman scored 14 points, and the Indiana Fever matched their season-high with nine 3-pointers to hold off the Los Angeles Sparks 73-61 on Friday night.

Tamika Catchings had 13 points and Katie Douglas added 11 for the Fever (2-2), who won their second straight. More >

Indy.Com Post: First win is a big hit for Fever

Katie Douglas had 22 points Tamika Catchings had 14 points, and Tammy Sutton-Brown added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Fever (1-2), which avoided its worst start since 2001.  More >

WNBA Slideshow: Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever discusses some memorable moments from her life through a series of photographs . More >

Rookie Point Guard January steps in for Fever

INDIANAPOLIS — Veteran stars Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas are the top returning scorers for the Indiana Fever, but their success this season might depend on a rookie point guard.

Coach Lin Dunn said Briann January likely will take over for veteran Tully Bevilaqua, and hopes are high after the Arizona State product led the Fever to a 3-0 preseason record. More >

GMS Identify Catchings among WNBAs best

Indianapolis-In the seventh annual WNBA.COM GM survey, WNBA General Managers have selected the Indiana Fever's Tamika Catchings among top candidates to win the league's Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year Awards.  She was also tabbed as the league's best player at her position. More >

Austin, TX (AP)-Tamika Catchings scored 16 points, 13 in the first half, to help lead the Indiana Fever to a 67-60 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars in the final preseason game for both teams..   More >

Catch Tamika on "The Final Word" Sports Radio Show-Friday, May 29th 8pm EST

Check out "The Final Word" sports radio show live from NYC to hear Tamika talk about the upcoming WNBA season!! Listen live this Friday, May 29th at 8pm EST.  While you're visiting the site, check out archived interviews with ESPN anchorwoman Sage Steele and WNBA All-Star & Olympic Gold Medalist Cappie Pondexter More >

Slam Dunk Summer/ Nuvo Weekly

With Katie Douglas and Tamika Catchings in sync, the Fever's 10th year should be their best yet...More >

Fever convinced they're for real

We've heard it all before. This year, the Indiana Fever really are better. More talent. More depth. More commitment.

Blah, blah, blah. This year, however, the Fever can say they're better with real conviction. More >

Fever's full lineup in house for media day at Conseco

Indiana Fever coach Lin Dunn hardly knew how to conduct the team’s first practice Sunday. All the players were there.

“This is, like, wild,” she said today during the Fever’s media day at Conseco Fieldhouse. More >

Youngsters shine in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- In the third of five Nike Regional Skills Academies, Ganon Baker and his staff took 42 of the Midwest's talented 2011, 2012, and 2013 prospects to task Saturday and Sunday in four separate sessions. Sunday's afternoon's workout was highlighted by an appearance by Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings. . More >

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Fever have typically fallen just short of their goal of winning a WNBA championship, but that hasn't changed their approach. More >

Indianapolis-Tamika Catchings, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and All-WNBA performer for the Indiana Fever, will receive the Reverend Charles Williams Award.  More >

USA TODAY-Fever's Catchings to receive award for youth work.  More >

Team USA Wins Gold, Bids Lisa Leslie Farewell
– By Jennifer Floyd Engel, Today.com

Tamika Catchings watched the Atlanta Olympics, a 17-year-old girl in Texas glimpsing this basketball god in Lisa Leslie and thinking "if I ever play in an Olympics, I want to play with her." ... More >

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics | Tamika Catchings Profile & Bio ...
– By NBCOlympics.com

Read the profile & biography of 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics athlete Tamika Catchings online at NBCOlympics.com. View photos and videos, get the latest ... More >

WNBA Comes to the House That Ashe, King Built
– Posted by Phoenix Golf Course Guy

On ESPN.COM, Mechelle Voepel writes “the concept of an outdoor basketball game isn’t anything new — Indiana’s Tamika Catchings was at Tennessee when ... More >

Tamika Catchings!! How Can You NOT Love Her?
– Postings on Scout.com

If you were to tell me that she had ruptured her achilis tendon less than a year ago, and watch her play today... I would call you a liar! More >

History arrived just before sunset Saturday on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, accompanied by summer heat and a soft, swirling breeze that has confounded and crowned more than a few of the world’s best tennis players. But this court was hardwood, this night featuring some of the world’s best women’s basketball players in the first outdoor ... More >

Catchings Has a Blast Playing Outdoors
– Associated Press, govolsxtra.com

The Indiana Fever overcame the heat and humidity, and stole the spotlight — under the moonlight — from the New York Liberty in the WNBA's first outdoor game. More >

December 29-31, 2008
Catch the Stars Holiday Basketball Camp

Learn from WNBA All-Star & Olympic Gold Medalist Tamika Catchings and friends as they demonstrate basketball skills while stressing the importance of sportsmanship, academics and goal setting! Each Camper will receive a Nike Camp T-shirt, one ticket voucher to a 2009 Indiana Fever home game. The camp also includes daily lunches, guest speakers, personalized skill assessments as well as a family awards banquet on the final day of camp. Space is limited to the first 200 campers, so get your registration in today and learn some hoops from one of the best!

The next camp will be held December 29-31, 2008 at the Warren Central High School Fieldhouse.
Download a PDF of the Holiday Basketball Camp Registration Form

Catchings Hopes to Play in Olympics
– By wishtv.com, Associated Press

The Indiana Fever's Tamika Catchings won't rush back from a major foot injury for the start of the WNBA season. More >

Catchings wins Iba Citizen Athlete Award
– By NewsOK.com

She spends the offseason conducting basketball camps and working with her "Catch the Stars Foundation.” The foundation provides for academic and ... More >

"I just left the doctor's office and I have an hour until I have to be at my rehab session, so..." Go to Tamika's Blog >

Oprah likes to say she has the best-dressed audience in television, that fans of her show dress to the nines when they come to Chicago to sit in on a taping. Tamika Catchings will be no different when she makes her first highly anticipated trip to Harpo Studios later this month. Well, except for one thing. Her fashion statement will be made solely from the ankles up. More >

Catching the fever with Tamika Catchings
– Source: (BP)Sports

WNBA star Tamika Catchings talks about her Christian faith in an interview with Sharing the Victory, the monthly magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. More >

The Indiana Fever's hot streak is drawing a lot of attention.

Soon-to-be-drafted Greg Oden, former Pacer Ron Artest and Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark are among those who have been spotted at Conseco Fieldhouse watching 1 of the top teams in the WNBA. More >

Despite being in the midst of a stretch of playing eight games in fourteen nights, Fever forward Tamika Catchings was able to take some time out for the benefit of local high school graduates.

Catchings’ scholarship foundation, Catch the Stars Foundation, Inc., held its annual Scholar reception last Sunday night prior to the Indiana Fever’s game against the New York Liberty. Eight finalists (four young men and four young women) were selected from a pool of students nominated by athletic directors of local public high schools. More >

Thanks to a break in the Indiana Fever's schedule, Tamika Catchings will spend Father's Day with her dad, former NBA player Harvey Catchings.

After playing at Detroit on Saturday night, Indiana doesn't play again until facing Connecticut the following Friday. Father and daughter planned to fly to Los Angeles on Sunday for a photo shoot, and the four-time WNBA All-Star was looking forward to the time with her childhood basketball role model. More >