With the WNBA on a midseason break, Tamika Catchings recently turned her attention to another sport: golf.
The Naismith Hall of Famer and former WNBA MVP started playing back in 2017, but spent too much time tracking down missing balls and stepped away from the game. Lately, she’s getting back into it, taking lessons every Monday. And as the former five-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year learns the game, she’s sharing it with the next generation.
Catchings got together with former NFL All-Pro Jeff Saturday and eight-time LPGA Player of the Year Annika Sorenstam in Indianapolis for “Golf With Us,” a clinic designed to foster life and leadership skills in kids by expanding affordable access to the sport of golf.
This was the 25th clinic Bank
of America has put on and more than 100 kids ages 6-18 participated.
“What I loved about the opportunity was the kids that we got to work with,” Catchings told USA TODAY Sports. “A lot of them, this was their first time ever playing golf, ever being to a golf course, participating in any capacity. To see the smiles on their faces, to know the impact that we were able to make just by being able to give resources.
“You know, the game of golf has life skills that go into it, everything from patience to communication.”
Although the WNBA is on a pause, Catchings is still locked in on basketball. The 2026 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals are Thursday in Berlin, Germany, with Team USA playing Hungary (5:30 a.m. ET, TNT/HBO Max).
One of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all-time, Catchings represented the United States on the international stage. She owns four Olympic gold medals and played in three World Cups, winning two golds and a bronze.
“Every time I got the opportunity to put on the red, white and blue, it truly was an honor,” Catchings said. “It’s an honor to represent our country. It’s an honor to represent the people that have come before us. For most people outside of the U.S., this is their first interaction with what an American is and who we are.”
For Catchings, some of her best memories came from teaming up with other players who were once rivals. Like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have during the tournament, Catchings played alongside those she had clashed with in Final Fours and the WNBA.
“Especially with the UConn-Tennessee rivalry and getting to be teammates with Sue Bird, Diana Tuarasi and Swin Cash. You get to know people in a different way when they're your teammates. It's like you already have that respect factor, but you put away all the differences. It’s for a greater goal, a greater purpose,” Catchings said. “It was awesome. I remember the games, and that was cool, but more importantly I remember the moments we had on the bus, the laughter we had.”
Another person Catchings played alongside at both Tennessee for Pat Summitt and in the Olympics for Team USA was Kara Lawson, who is now the head coach of the Americans. Even back when they were playing for the Lady Vols — and roommates for one road trip out to California — Catchings saw Lawson becoming a coach one day.
When Lawson would come around, sometimes her teammates would sing the theme music to Sportscenter: "DaDaDa, DaDaDa"
“Because all she did was watch ESPN, all day everyday,” Catchings said with a laugh. “She’s very detail-oriented, she’s just so smart, the way she reads the game. Even as a commentator, I felt like she was able to break down the game in a way that was a common language for those who had never played and those who have experience playing. She’ll do a great job.”
This year’s Team USA roster at the World Cup is turning the page with several new faces. Seven of the team’s 12 players are playing in a major tournament for the senior national team for the first time — a number that grew when Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen were named as replacements for Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson.
Catchings remembers being in the shoes of these young players back in 2004, when Team USA was preparing to go play in the Olympics in Athens, Greece. Catchings, Bird, Cash and Taurasi were all making their Olympic debuts with the squad, but much of the conversation surrounding the team revolved around what was going to happen when veterans like Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie were no longer around.
In short, Catchings and her contemporaries — and players younger than them — continued to step up as they cycled into Team USA. The Americans have won eight consecutive Olympics and eight of the last 10 World Cups.
“The success of USA Basketball has continued, being able to have your core group, but then also you have your pipeline,” Catchings said. “When you look at just our game overall, you look at the success the WNBA is having, and this is the top, the pinnacle. This is where all of our players want to get to. And what an awesome opportunity it is for Sonia and Kiki to step in and have an impact with this group.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tamika Catchings recalls Team USA transition as new generation takes center stage
