Tamika Catchings

Before the MVP trophy, the championship, and a number in the Fever rafters, Tamika Catchings was a rookie taking her first steps in the league. Selected third overall out of Tennessee, the versatile two-way forward wasted no time showing what kind of player Indiana had landed. On June 1, 2002, she reads the passing lane, jumps it for a steal, then sprints out in transition for the first points of her career against the Detroit Shock. It opened a 15-year run spent entirely in Indiana, one that would bring the 2002 Rookie of the Year award, the 2011 MVP, five Defensive Player of the Year honors, four Olympic gold medals, and the 2012 title with Finals MVP. Catchings finished her debut with 23 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and two blocks in a 17-point win.

Rookie Year

MVP Year