Catchings set to Blaze into Naperville
January 2, 2004 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Chicago Blaze News Release
Naperville, IL - There has been much speculation the past few weeks with regard to whether Tamika Catchings (Tennessee '01) would return to the Chicago Blaze for the 2004 season. The Blaze looks to turn all speculation into reality and plans to have her signed in time for the start of training camp on January 5th. Robert Graham, GM of the Blaze has nothing but praise for Catchings: "What can you say about Tamika? She is an Olympian. She is a WNBA All-Star. She is arguably the best player in the world, and to top it all off, she is the consummate role model off the court. There is no single player in the world that I would rather have than Tamika Catchings."
Much of the delay in signing Catchings has been due to the need to accommodate her obligations to USA Basketball and the US Olympic basketball team, as well as her commitments to the WNBA. These commitments will cause her to miss games during the 2004 NWBL season. Said Catchings, "I'm excited about being back with the Blaze, and my goal is to help us win a NWBL championship title."
Catchings was the first player ever selected by the Chicago Blaze during its inaugural season in 2001, leading the Blaze in scoring, rebounding and steals. Following her stint with the Blaze, Catchings won the 2002 WNBA Rookie of the Year award and was selected to the WNBA All-Star team. That same summer she helped the USA Basketball team win gold at the 2002 World Championships. She will represent the United States on the 2004 Olympic team.
The Chicago Blaze is entering its third season in the NWBL. The Blaze will play a 22 game schedule from January 11-March 23 and will play its home games at Merner Fieldhouse located at North Central College in Naperville, IL.
The National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) showcases professional women basketball players from across the nation, including players from the WNBA who choose to stay in the U.S. to play during the off-season. The season is played from January through April and the teams include the Birmingham Power, CHICAGO BLAZE, Colorado Chill, Dallas Fury, Houston Stealth, and Springfield Spirit. For more information on the NWBL and the Chicago Blaze, visit www.nwbl.com/blaze.
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National Women's Basketball League Stories from January 2, 2004
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- Catchings set to Blaze into Naperville - Chicago Blaze
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