Although the WNBA is on a pause, Catchings is still locked in on basketball. The 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 . 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