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What would you do if you could bring a star down to eye level? What if you’re just an arm’s length away? Can you try to recreate its brightness? Or would you gaze upon its beauty, mysteriously luminous and supernaturally wondrous?
Being close to the size would make the average person’s eyes pop out of their head, like a spooky gimmick in a Halloween store window. However, for BYU freshman Kanon Catchings, he has been clinging to the stars since the moment he was born.
The legacy begins in the fall of 1974 with Harvey Catchings, who made his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers. Midway through what would become an 11-year career at the L, Catchings became the basketball equivalent of the father of Serena and Venus Williams, daughters of Richard Williams Jr. Harvey, Tamika and Tauja set the stage to take over the family all hardwood.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to touch a star, you’d have to ask someone from the 2002-2016 Indiana Fever, or her niece to really understand just how bright a star Tamika Catchings is.
“I looked up to him a lot,” Kanon recalled. “He was one of the first basketball players I really knew.”
Tamika Catchings, despite having a hearing impairment under the radar, kick started her legacy by winning three high school championships in two different states (Illinois and Texas). Entering her college career, she made her presence known on the court, helping the Tennessee Lady Vols to an undefeated season and the 1998 NCAA championship under legendary coach Pat Summitt, paving the way for later college stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.
Spending her entire career with the Fever, Catchings led the team to a championship in 2012 and amassed a long, decorated list of accomplishments, including WNBA MVP (2011), 10 All-Star selections and five Defensive Player of the Year awards. Not to mention, four consecutive Olympic gold medals (2004-2016) and holding the WNBA’s all-time steals record (1,074).
An exceptional star, Catchings exceeded the expectations of the family, and set an example of how greatness is. “I wanted to be like him,” explained Kanon.
The next star closest to Kanon’s track was Tamika’s sister and Kanon’s mother, Tauja, who led her high school team to two state championships (’95-96), and was named Illinois’ Ms. Basketball in 1996. At the University of Illinois, Tauja became the first player in Illini history with over 1,400 points, 700 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals, earning him All-Big Ten honors and All-Big Ten status. of the best players in Illinois history.
Almost ten years later, another branch of the Catchings family has appeared with Kanon. Standing at 6-9 and known for his athleticism, the younger Catchings entered a fresh start at Brigham Young University (BYU) where he quickly made a name for himself.
“The feature I would like to show to many people is that I can supervise all the positions in the court,” he explained. Being able to be anywhere on the court is where Kanon feels like he has a leg up on other recruits.
Going back to his junior season in high school, Kanon averaged 17.5 points and 4.8 rebounds before joining the Overtime Elite (OTE). There, he maintained his college eligibility, playing at a high level and averaging 14.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Kanon’s decision to suit up for the Cougars had a lot to do with his former OTE coach Tim Fanning.
“That was a big drawing point for me when I got to BYU,” he explains. “It means a lot to have someone who knows you and who has trained you.”
At BYU, Catchings hopes to improve his shooting and physicality, especially with an eagerness to develop his skill set beyond the expectations that come with his family name. Her defensive nature—a hallmark of the Catchings family—is something she wants to showcase, and with her Hall of Fame aunt as a mentor, she’s looking forward to growing all parts of her game.
“I feel like I’ve improved a lot,” he says. “In hitting the ball, passing the ball, [and] self-defense especially, but also, pulling out a gun—[I’m] I just try to be as consistent as possible in everything I do on the court.”
After what could have been a breakout season, the four-star recruit has some pressure on his shoulders heading into November. But, with that extreme family star behind him, Catchings has all the guidance and tools he needs to add to the legacy—perhaps not only reach the stars, but become one himself.
Photos via BYU Athletics.
