Tamika Whitmore joined an elite group of former University of Memphis athletes as her No. 44 jersey was hoisted to the wall at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
The All-American collegiate player and WNBA All-Star became the sixth Memphis women’s basketball player to have her jersey retired at a ceremony Saturday during halftime of the team’s Senior Day contest against Tulsa.
“This is the most spectacular day of my life so far,” Whitmore said before the game. “To know that the number I wore will never be worn again and that I left it all out on the court is overwhelming.”
Whitmore, a Tupelo, Mississippi, native, played for the Tigers from 1996-99, accruing numerous accolades along the way: 3-time First team All-Conference USA, 2-time C-USA Player of the Year and an All-American nod her senior season. She also finished her final year as the NCAA season scoring leader.
The Tigers also participated in three NCAA tournaments and one National Invitational Tournament during Whitmore’s tenure.
Whitmore’s basketball journey started at Tupelo High School where her star began to shine.
Her achievements on the court at Memphis set her up for an 11-year career in the Women’s National Basketball Association. She played with the New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun. Whitmore also played abroad for eight years in Spain, France, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic.
On the field house wall, Whitmore’s jersey will hang alongside those of previous honorees Kim Duppins, Linda Street, Betty Booker, Regina Street and Linda McKinnie. “Y’all finally have a sixth person to sub in,” she said in thanking them.
During an emotional moment, Whitmore paused to inhale the atmosphere before addressing the crowd. Former teammate Nicole Murry passed Whitmore a towel as she composed herself. To that Whitmore responded: “She’s my point guard. She just gave me another assist tonight.”
After retiring from professional basketball, Whitmore coached high school ball. She’s now a public speaker and an entrepreneur.
Whitmore said she appreciated the support of her former coaches and teammates throughout her career.
“Thank you all for believing in me when there were times I did not believe in myself,” she said.
