Tamika Catchings — the beloved Hall of Famer whose name is etched in the history of women’s basketball — has taken to social media to directly confront false online rumors claiming she has been battling cancer, emphatically stating she’s in good health and has no cancer diagnosis. At the same time, the former Indiana Fever star is being celebrated for another honor that cements her long-standing impact on the sport and beyond.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn message that quickly spread across platforms, Catchings wrote “FAKE NEWS!!!!” and detailed how the unfounded posts claiming she had cancer spread rapidly, worrying loved ones and fans alike. She made it unmistakably clear: she is healthy, grateful for the outpouring of support, and untouched by the illness that social media voices had wrongly attached to her name. Alongside messages of appreciation, she also encouraged compassion and truth in online spaces — a gentle rebuke to the misinformation ecosystem.
That public statement came amid a week of genuine celebration for the 46-year-old basketball legend. In early November 2025, the NCAA announced that Catchings had been chosen as one of the recipients of its prestigious Silver Anniversary Award, which honors former student-athletes 25 years after their collegiate careers conclude. The award recognizes not just on-court excellence but sustained contributions in professional life and community service. She will be honored alongside luminaries like Drew Brees at the 2026 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.
For sports fans who remember Catchings’ dynamic presence on the court, this recognition ties her storied career — from her high-school days to Tennessee Volunteers glory — to the work she continues to do now. As an NCAA feature detailing her journey noted, she fell in love with basketball early, inspired by watching legendary coach Pat Summitt and setting her sights on greatness years before she would achieve it.
That greatness is hard to overstate. Over 15 seasons with the Indiana Fever, Catchings became one of the WNBA’s fiercest competitors, winning five Defensive Player of the Year awards — more than anyone else in league history — and helping lead her team to a championship in 2012. She was also a ten-time All-Star and a four-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA.
Off the court, Catchings’ legacy runs just as deep. She founded the Catch the Stars Foundation to empower underserved youth through scholarships, sports camps, and educational programming, and has built successful business ventures — most notably her Tea’s Me Cafe franchise in Indianapolis — that emphasize community revitalization. Her voice still carries in basketball circles as a commentator and advocate for the game and for young athletes.
The contrast between the wild internet rumors and the tangible honors she continues to receive underscores both the reach of digital misinformation and the deep respect Catchings commands in real life. In her own words, she urged kindness and truth, especially in spaces where falsehoods can spiral out of control.
For the millions who have followed her career and admired her work since retirement, this chapter in Catchings’ story has been both a reminder of her resilience and a chance to celebrate her continued positive influence on the sport and community.
