Rio Olympics: Former Vol Tamika Catchings Wins Fourth Gold Medal

Former Tennessee women’s basketball player won her fourth gold medal with the USA women’s basketball team in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Tamika Catchings helped to make history at the Rio Olympics on Saturday by leading the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team to a gold medal for the fourth straight time.  The team beat Spain 101-72 to win the Gold.

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Due to her advancing age, Catchings had to adjust to a role on the bench this year. She only played seven minutes in the finals.

Part of that may be due to Geno Auriemma’s incessant bias against her and other Lady Vols. After all, he didn’t select Candace Parker on this year’s Olympic team.

However, she still was a part of history. This was the sixth straight gold medal that the women’s team won.

Catchings was an emotional leader for the team on the bench and showed that she would be ready to transition to coaching soon. After all, she already has one of the greatest careers of any Lady Vol ever.

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi also won their fourth gold medals with the team. They join Teresa Edwards and Lisa Leslie as the players to win the most gold medals in USA Women’s basketball history.

One of the most accomplished players in Lady Vols history from college, Catchings has now established herself as the most successful former Tennessee Women’s Basketball player in the professional ranks.

After all, she has four gold medals, a WNBA Championship, a WNBA Finals MVP, a WNBA regular season MVP, and is a 10-time WNBA all-star.

As a result, she deserves lots of respect. Catching is one of 14 Lady Vols to compete in the Olympics. She is one of nine to win a gold medal.

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And when you add her college national championship, she is one of the most accomplished players ever.