TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Parker To Skip Senior Season

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: February 22, 2008

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Candace Parker, the Tennessee All-America forward who made dunking in women's basketball almost commonplace, ended all the speculation.

Parker, the first woman to win a national slam-dunk contest, will skip her final season at Tennessee for the chance to play professionally.

"This was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make, but my family and I think this is the best choice for me," Parker said Wednesday.

"I've been blessed with great coaches and teammates, an outstanding education and the best women's basketball crowd support in the country. I will miss Tennessee, but I am eager to take this next step in my career."

The redshirt junior will graduate at the end of this season and plans to participate in the summer Olympics and pursue a professional career, Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.

Parker will be honored as part of the third-ranked Lady Vols' senior night activities before the Feb. 28 game against Florida.

"Obviously we'd love to have her another year," Summitt said. "Who wouldn't?"

The 6-foot-4 Naperville, Ill., native leads the team in scoring with 20.6 points per game and rebounds with 8.8 and is one of six women to have dunked in the college game.

In 2004 Parker beat five male competitors to win the slam-dunk contest as part of the McDonald's High School All-American Game.

Since then she has dunked seven times, becoming the first women's player to go above the rim twice during a game and in an NCAA tournament game.

After leading the Lady Vols to their seventh national championship last season, Parker played with the U.S. national team as the team earned its 2008 Olympic bid.

"Candace was ready for the pros two years ago," U.S. team coach Anne Donovan said. "I think it's an exciting day. Tennessee's had her long enough."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT