Sparks’ Whitmore Signs With Fever

News Release | March 17, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever solidified its post position as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf announced the free agent signing of veteran power forward Tamika Whitmore. Per club policy, contract terms were not disclosed.


A three-time WNBA Finalist and a longtime starter with the Liberty and Sparks, Whitmore has become the latest prominent free agent to sign with the Fever.
Whitmore was a five-year starter with the New York Liberty – during playoff runs in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 – and has been a starter for the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, adding two more years of playoff experience. A three-time WNBA Finalist, Whitmore is among the WNBA’s all-time leaders with 32 playoff games under her belt.

“Tamika is a seven-year veteran who brings toughness, scoring and rebounding at the post position,” said Krauskopf. “She has been a steady WNBA performer who has gained valuable experience in playoff situations. Her strength and versatility really bolster our post rotation”

A 6-2 product of Memphis State, Whitmore averaged 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season while starting all 34 games for the Sparks. She has averaged 8.6 points, 3.6 boards and 0.5 blocks for her career. A native of Tupelo, Miss., with Fever guard Tan White, she also shares distinction with White as a former NCAA scoring champion - Whitmore led the nation in scoring with 26.3-point average in 1999.

The Fever has been one of the WNBA’s most active teams during the league’s free agency period – engineering two trades, moving up three positions in the upcoming draft, and adding at least three potential starters with the acquisition of such veteran stars as Anna DeForge, Olympia Scott, Charlotte Smith and Whitmore. With the retirement of Natalie Williams and the loss of Jurgita Streimikyte to her national team, the Fever has successfully signed veteran players to fill those voids.

The WNBA Draft takes place Wednesday, April 5, from Boston, Mass., one day after the conclusion of the NCAA Women’s Final Four. The Fever possesses four picks in the upcoming three-round draft – No. 9 (via trade from New York), No. 26, No. 38 (via trade from Houston) and No. 40.

The Fever opens training camp on Sunday, April 23, and begins the 2006 schedule when it hosts the Detroit Shock on Saturday, May 20 (7:00 p.m.). For season ticket information, call (317) 917-2500.