Indianaï¿½s Tamika Catchings Wins 2005 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Presented by Tampax

NEW YORK, Sept. 1 - The Fever's Tamika Catchings has won the 2005 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by Tampax, the WNBA announced today. Catchings received 35 of a possible 50 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Catchings led the WNBA in steals this season with 2.65 per game, more than one-half steal better than runner-up Sheryl Swoopes (2.00 spg). Catchings tallied five or more steals in 13 of 34 games. Her eight steals vs. Connecticut on July 17 was a league high. For her career, Catchings ranks second all-time in steals (2.41spg), trailing only WNBA legend Kim Perrot (2.64 spg).

This season, Catchings also ranked third in the league in defensive rebounds (5.7 drpg) and helped the Fever hold opponents to only 62.7 points per contest, the second fewest points allowed in the league.

As the defensive player of the year, Catchings will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000.

Below are the complete results of the 2005 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Tampax vote and past recipients:

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY TAMPAX RESULTS
35 - Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
7 - Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets
3 - Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks
2 - Katie Douglas, Connecticut Sun
2 -Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs
1 - Margo Dydek, Connecticut Sun

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
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

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Four networks will carry 2005 WNBA Playoffs action. ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NBA TV will provide coverage through the conference finals. The 2005 WNBA Finals will be televised on ABC and ESPN2.