Tamika Catchings Named Defensive Player of the Year

NEW YORK, Sept. 28 2012 – For the fifth time in her career, Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings has been named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile, the league announced today.  Catchings previously won the award in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010.

Catchings received 19 out of 41 votes, 11 more than Atlanta Dream guard/forward Angel McCoughtry (eight).  Los Angeles Sparks teammates forward Candace Parker (six) and guard Alana Beard (four), Atlanta Dream forward Sancho Lyttle (two), Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (one) and San Antonio Silver Stars forward Sophia Young (one) received the remaining votes.

Equally adept on the offensive end, this season Catchings finished first in the East and second overall in scoring among forwards (17.4 ppg) and third in the conference in field goals made (200). She led Indiana in rebounds (7.6 rpg), defensive rebounds (5.8 drpg), double-doubles (10), steals (2.06 spg) and blocks (0.85 bpg).

Honored as the Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile for August, Catchings ranked fourth in the league in defensive rebounds and double-doubles, fifth in steals, and sixth in rebounds.

Catchings, referred to as Indiana’s “do-everything” forward, is in her 12th season of league play. The 2011 WNBA Most Valuable Player is also a seven-time WNBA All-Star.

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

 

Below are the complete results of the 2012 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year votes and a list of past recipients:

2012 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY BOOST MOBILE RESULTS

19                    Tamika Catchings                    Indiana Fever
8                      Angel McCoughtry                   Atlanta Dream
6                      Candace Parker                         Los Angeles Sparks
4                      Alana Beard                              Los Angeles Sparks
2                      Sancho Lyttle                           Atlanta Dream
1                      Tina Charles                             Connecticut Sun
1                      Sophia Young                           San Antonio Silver Stars

– MORE –

2012 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile
Page 2

ALL-TIME DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY BOOST MOBILE WINNERS

 

2012                 Tamika Catchings                    Indiana Fever
2011                 Sylvia Fowles                           Chicago Sky
2010                 Tamika Catchings                     Indiana Fever
2009                 Tamika Catchings                     Indiana Fever
2008                 Lisa Leslie                                Los Angeles Sparks
2007                 Lauren Jackson                         Seattle Storm
2006                 Tamika Catchings                     Indiana Fever
2005                 Tamika Catchings                     Indiana Fever
2004                 Lisa Leslie                                Los Angeles Sparks
2003                 Sheryl Swoopes                        Houston Comets
2002                 Sheryl Swoopes                        Houston Comets
2001                 Debbie Black                            Miami Sol
2000                 Sheryl Swoopes                        Houston Comets
1999                 Yolanda Griffith                       Sacramento Monarchs
1998                 Teresa Weatherspoon                New York Liberty
1997                 Teresa Weatherspoon                New York Liberty

2012 WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

Player                                Team                                             Position               Points
Tamika Catchings               Indiana Fever                                  Forward               50
Sancho Lyttle                     Atlanta Dream                                Forward               26
Sylvia Fowles                     Chicago Sky                                   Center                 33
Alana Beard                        Los Angeles Sparks                         Guard                  30
Briann January                   Indiana Fever                                  Guard                  26

2012 WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

Player                                Team                                             Position               Points
Sophia Young                     San Antonio Silver Stars                 Forward               22
Candace Parker                   Los Angeles Sparks                         Forward               15
Tina Charles                       Connecticut Sun                             Center                 21
Armintie Price                    Atlanta Dream                                Guard                  18
Danielle Robinson              San Antonio Silver Stars                 Guard                  17