One of the WBBL’s all-time greats and a cornerstone of the incredible success the Sevenoaks Suns have had over the years, two-time WBBL Player of the Year Cat Carr has officially announced her retirement from basketball.
Carr penned an exclusive column for the WBBL, which we shared on our website this morning, confirming her retirement, and tributes have come in from across the league in recognition of the Sevenoaks Suns star’s career. Read on to find some of them below!
Len Busch, Sevenoaks Suns Head Coach
“I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Cat the past nine years and witness first hand her impact on the Sevenoaks Suns and the WBBL. She helped us all to be better as she drove herself to excel and be the best she could be. Cat is a perfect example of a player who is a coach on the floor and in the locker room. It has been a privilege to witness first-hand her steady growth as a player and as a person. I know she will be successful in whatever she undertakes next and wish her nothing but the best. Thanks Cat.”
Ta’Yani Clark, former Sevenoaks Suns star
“Cat has been an opponent and a teammate of mine, but an even better friend. Most see the competitor and the “matter-of-fact” instructions she gives on the court, but the truth is she demands as much as she gives. There has been no one better to go to battle with over the years and the game will surely miss her. I will miss watching her play, but luckily I have a lifetime of memories.”
Alison Gorrell, former Newcastle Eagles and Sheffield Hatters star
“When you think about the WBBL you think of Cat Carr. She’s been an integral part of the growth of the league and the quality of play. Year after year Cat consistently brought passion, skill and competitiveness and she was someone I loved competing against. It’s definitely a loss for the league to no longer have her, but the legacy she’s leaving is incredible, and the mark she has left will continue to have a massive impact on the bright future of the WBBL.”
Jo Leedham-Warner, reigning WBBL Player of the Year
“I’ve been playing against Cat since college, so to go up against her again this season was really fun! I knew exactly what I was going to get from her and we had some great battles on the court. She is super tough, competitive and just battles hard every game! Cat has had such a great career in the WBBL and I’m sure she’ll be missed. She’s made a huge impact on the league over the years and I wish her well for retirement!”
Ashleigh Munns, former Sevenoaks Suns teammate and current Essex Rebels guard
“Cat has raised the standard of women’s basketball in this country with her passion, her IQ and her team-first mentality. And I think that’s the best thing about her – she leads from the front. She’ll hold you accountable when you’re not pulling your weight but she’s also the first one to celebrate your success. Some people just know how to bring the best out in others. That’s Cat’s gift. She makes people want to be better, do better and play better. No one can replace her, but she’s paved the way for young girls to do exactly what she’s done and leave the kind of legacy that she has. It’s hard to imagine the league without Cat – she has been my teammate and my (healthy) rival and I feel privileged to have been able to share the court with her.”
