Advertisement

Catchings gets WNBA's top-defender award

Tamika Catchings, shown in a file photo from the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game, has been voted the league's top defensive player for a record fourth time, the WNBA said Monday. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman)
Tamika Catchings, shown in a file photo from the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game, has been voted the league's top defensive player for a record fourth time, the WNBA said Monday. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman) | License Photo

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Indiana forward Tamika Catchings was named the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year for a record fourth time, the league said Monday.

Catchings took in 30 of the 39 votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the WNBA. Chicago's Sylvia Fowles received seven votes and Minnesota Nikki Anosike and Connecticut's Tina Charles each had one vote.

Advertisement

Catchings led the WNBA with 77 steals, an average of 2.26 per game. It was the sixth time she led the league in steals. She was seventh in defensive rebounds and tied for 10th in blocked shots. She was also Indiana's leading scorer, averaging 18.2 points over 34 games.

The Indiana star was also voted WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2009. Houston's Sheryl Swoopes is the only other player to have won the award more than twice. Swoopes took the honor in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Catchings was also named to the WNBA all-defensive first team for a sixth time. Other first-team all-defense choices are Atlanta forward Angel McCoughtry, Chicago center Sylvia Fowles and guards Tanisha Wright of Seattle and Cappie Pondexter of New York.

Advertisement

The WNBA All-Defensive Team is determined by a vote of the league's coaches.

Latest Headlines