University of Tennessee Athletics
Tamika Catchings Wins Player of the Year
March 30, 2000 | Women's Basketball
- 1999-2000 Kodak All-America Women's Basketball Team
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Tamika Catchings succeeded with her skill on the court, Geno Auriemma with his work on the sideline. Both have their teams in the NCAA Final Four and they were honored Thursday as The Associated Press player and coach of the year in women's basketball. Catchings has led Tennessee to a 32-3 record with her solid and often brilliant all-around play and kept the player of the year award in the Lady Vols' court for the third straight season.
Former teammate Chamique Holdsclaw won in 1998 and 1999.
``Awards come to a team,'' Auriemma said. ``If you play for a great team or you're part of a great team, you get an award. I'm sure it's more of an honor for Tamika to play with her team, just like it's more of an honor for me to coach ours.
``Somebody has to step up and receive the awards, but it wouldn't happen without a great team.''
In a vote of AP member newspapers and broadcast outlets nationwide, Catchings edged Connecticut's Svetlana Abrosimova 19-16. UConn's Shea Ralph was third with 12 votes. Auriemma received 22 votes, four more than Oklahoma's Sherri Coale.
Catchings, a 6-foot-1 junior, has been collecting awards throughout her Tennessee career. She was a second-team AP All-American as a freshman, when Tennessee won the national championship, and earned first-team honors the past two years. This year, she was the leading vote-getter.
It's nice, she said, but she's not playing for the recognition.
``I'm still going to play as hard as I can,'' Catchings said before heading off to be honored as a Kodak All-American.
``All I ever wanted was to win another national championship. If I wouldn't have gotten any awards, I would still be satisfied if we win the national championship.''
On a team with outstanding balance, Catchings leads the Lady Vols in scoring (15.7), rebounding (7.9) and steals (2.8) and is second in assists. She's a fierce defender and as she proved against Texas Tech in the Mideast Regional final, she plays even when hurt.
Catchings sprained her right ankle in the first half, returned seven minutes later with it heavily taped and finished with 16 rebounds, six assists and three steals as the Lady Vols won 57-44.
``She's a warrior,'' Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. ``It's interesting how people have matched up on her this year. Basically, it seems the general approach to playing Catchings is physically try and take her out of her game.
``She's had people shove her from the back and come at her physically. I think she's handled it well, and at times, I think I'm more upset about it than she is.''
The entire 1999-2000 Kodak All-America Women's Basketball Team:
Svetlana Abrosimova, 6-2 Jr. F, Connecticut
Edwina Brwon, 5-10 Sr. G, Texas
Tamika Catchings, 6-1 Jr. F, Tennessee
Helen Darling, 5-7 Sr. G, Penn State
Katie Douglas, 6-1 Jr. G, Purdue
Tamicha Jackson, 5-6 Sr. G, Louisiana Tech
Kelly Miller, 5-10 Jr. G, Georgia
Semeka Randall, 5-10 Jr. G, Tennessee
Shea Ralph, 6-0 Jr. G/F, Connecticut
LaToya Thomas, 6-2 Fr. C, Mississippi State
