Once more the Indiana Fever celebrated the career of Tamika Catchings. Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, they retired her number (24) and raised a banner to the rafters.
Before Catchings spoke — getting choked up because of the significance of something of this magnitude, being the first player in Fever history to have her jersey retired — Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Rick Fuson addressed the crowd with a short and grateful message to Tamika.
In short: “We thank you for making your whole pro career here, unlike so many others. Your WHOLE CAREER HERE,” Fuson belted out. “Thank you.”
This came a week after Paul George’s representatives informed Kevin Pritchard of his desire not to re-sign in Indy and to go elsewhere, specifically home to Los Angeles. Pritchard is in the process of creating and negotiating a deal that best serves his team.
George had spoken at length before about wanting to be the best player in franchise history, chasing after Reggie Miller. But he apparently had a change of heart, and his time in Indy is nearing completion.
Click here to watch the entire jersey retirement ceremony.
[Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E, Video: FeverBasketball on YouTube]