This mural honors basketball star, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Tamika Catchings.
Catchings played all 16 seasons of her professional career for the Indiana Fever, setting and breaking many records and playing in 10 WNBA All-Star games. She is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, and led the Fever to the WNBA national championship in 2012. Catchings served as president of the WNBA Players Association from 2012 to 2016 and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2020.
Today, Catchings, still based in Indianapolis, is a basketball executive. She owns three Tea’s Me cafes in the city, and is the co-executive director of her own Catch the Stars Foundation through which she promotes youth development through sports, literacy, and character.
“Being part of this process is truly humbling. It’s such an honor to be recognized in this special way, especially in the city I call home,” said Catchings. “Basketball has given me so much, but my greatest passion has always been giving back, lifting up the next generation and inspiring others to chase their dreams. This tribute isn’t just about me; it’s about the power of perseverance, teamwork, and believing in something bigger than yourself. I hope this mural will serve as a daily reminder that with hard work and heart, anything is possible.”
An international call for interested artists was conducted in late 2024, and four finalists were selected to create concept designs. The finalists had the opportunity to speak with Catchings and learn more about her so they could express her personality and legacy in their designs. The selected artist, Nate Baranowski of South Bend, Indiana, said about his design, “Tamika Catchings is a magnetic personality and an amazing force for good to those around her and in her community. She is not just a legendary basketball player, but also an entrepreneur, activist, broadcaster, volunteer, mentor, and motivational speaker. I wanted my design to reflect this high-energy force surrounding her.” Baranowski worked with local artist Brooke McGee as an apprentice for the painting process.
The mural was painted in June 2025 and dedicated on July 16, 2025. It was commissioned by the Indy Arts Council to coincide with Indianapolis’ hosting of WNBA All-Star 2025, July 18-19. Generous support for the mural was provided by the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, and it could not have been possible without the partnership of the All-Star 2025 Host Committee, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indiana Fever, Tauja Catchings, and Tamika Catchings.
