Bobby Cattage
Class of 1996
Bobby Cattage was one of the most dominant high school basketball players ever to come out of Huntsville, and his powerful inside play eventually carried him to the collegiate stage at Auburn University.
Cattage starred at Johnson High School, where he quickly became known for his scoring ability and rebounding strength. During his senior season, he averaged an impressive 23 points and 19 rebounds per game, leading Johnson to a 22–5 record.
His outstanding performance earned him national recognition. Cattage was named First Team All-American by Parade Magazine and also received Prep All-America honors from Street & Smith. He was additionally selected First Team All-South by the Orlando Sentinel, solidifying his reputation as one of the top high school players in the country.
Over his high school career, Cattage averaged 21 points and 17 rebounds, making him one of the most productive players in the region during that era.
Following graduation, he signed a scholarship to play basketball at Auburn University under coach Sonny Smith. Cattage made an immediate impact for the Tigers, starting 22 games as a freshman while averaging 8.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
His sophomore season marked a major breakthrough. Cattage led Auburn in scoring with 15.9 points per game and rebounding with 9.3 per game, earning a spot on the Big Sun All-Tournament Team. He finished the season as the fourth-leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference and the top returning rebounder in the league.
Adversity struck when Cattage suffered a ruptured appendix, resulting in surgery that caused him to lose more than 70 pounds and miss part of his junior season. Demonstrating determination and resilience, he worked his way back into playing shape and once again became a strong inside presence for Auburn during the remainder of his collegiate career.
Cattage’s perseverance and accomplishments made him one of Huntsville basketball’s most memorable players.
Disclaimer: This biographical feature was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence and is based on materials provided by the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and related sources. While care was taken to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult official Hall of Fame records and other primary sources for verification.
