Whitmore to Have Jersey Retired on March 1
Jan 16, 2025 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball legend Tamika Whitmore will have her number 44 retired by the program on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Whitmore played for the Tigers from 1995-1999, where she was a two-time C-USA Player of the Year and an AP All-American in 1999 behind a nation-best 26.3 points per game. Her 2,488 career points second in school history, and she ranks first in career field goal percentage (60.6%), fourth in career rebounds (952) and second in career blocked shots (108). Her 45 double-doubles is second all-time behind Regina Street (85).
In four years as Tiger, Whitmore led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, two C-USA tournament titles and a WNIT showing. Her cumulative record in the Blue and Gray was 86-36.
Whitmore was drafted by the New York Liberty in the third round in 1999 and played five years there before playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun. In 2006, she was named a WNBA All-Star and set a WNBA record for points in a playoff game with 41 against the Tulsa Shock, breaking the previous record of 35.
A C-USA All-Freshman honoree in 1996, Whitmore was drafted by the New York Liberty in the third round in 1999 and played five years there before spending two seasons each with the Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun from 2004-2009.
The Tupelo, Mississippi, native has been inducted into the UM Hall of Fame, the C-USA Hall of Fame and the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame. Whitmore is now a public speaker and co-founder of non-profit community resource "KingStreets."
Whitmore joins a coveted list of Tigers to have their jerseys retired inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse, listed below. The jersey retirement ceremony were occur at halftime of the Tigers' conference game with Tulsa on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased HERE.
Kim Duppins No. 12
Linda Street No. 14
Betty Booker No. 31
Tamika Whitmore No. 44
Regina Street No. 50
Linda McKinnie No. 51
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