Emotional Reunion: Tamika Catchings and Dawn Staley Share Heartfelt Moment at WNBA All-Star Game
It was a reunion years in the making—WNBA legend Tamika Catchings and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley finally crossed paths again, this time in front of a packed crowd at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. The long-awaited meet-up between two of women’s basketball’s most influential figures delivered a powerful moment as the two icons embraced warmly on the court.
The All-Star weekend, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse—home of Catchings’ legendary career with the Indiana Fever—brought her back to familiar ground. Staley, a regular presence at marquee basketball events, also made the trip, and the two reconnected just before tip-off, creating a viral moment filled with emotion and admiration.
“They’ve always seemed to miss each other,” noted one fan on social media. But not this time. Cameras caught the heartfelt hug between Catchings and Staley—two trailblazers whose careers have deeply shaped the game.
Before becoming one of the sport’s top coaches, Dawn Staley carved out a Hall of Fame playing career herself, starring at Virginia before being selected 9th overall by the Charlotte Sting in the 1999 WNBA Draft. Remarkably, she balanced her professional playing days with her coaching duties at Temple University, retiring early to fully commit to building programs.
Tamika Catchings followed soon after, entering the WNBA in 2001 as the No. 3 overall pick by Indiana. Despite missing her rookie year due to a torn ACL, Catchings dominated the league for 15 seasons, earning MVP honors in 2011 and leading the Fever to a championship in 2012. She remains one of the league’s most respected figures—on and off the court.
The emotional moment between the two women added a historic flavor to an already electric night. The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game made history with its new captain-led format and the introduction of a four-point shot, which quickly became a fan favorite. Even without the injured Caitlin Clark, the game didn’t disappoint.
Team Collier, led by MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier, defeated Team Clark 151-131 in a high-energy showdown. Collier racked up 36 points and 9 rebounds in just 19 minutes, shooting an eye-popping 13-for-16 from the field. Each four-point bucket helped raise money for charity, adding purpose to the night’s entertainment.
While the game was packed with highlights, the pregame meeting of two of women’s basketball’s most celebrated pioneers—Catchings and Staley—may have been the evening’s most unforgettable moment.
