Shock signs former OU star Courtney Paris
BY Associated Press
Monday, June 18, 2012
6/19/12 at 9:04 AM
The Tulsa Shock has signed 6-foot-4 Courtney Paris, the former University of Oklahoma standout, the team announced Monday.
The Shock waived third-round draft pick Lynetta Kizer to make room on the 11-player roster.
Paris started the season with the Atlanta Dream, but was waived after four games.
She also played for the Dream last season, averaging 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game.
“Courtney is an inside power player with a soft touch around the rim and ability to score in the paint,” Shock head coach Gary Kloppenburg said in a team release. “She is an excellent rebounder at both ends of the floor and with hard work can develop into a solid inside presence for us.”
Paris had a decorated career at OU, establishing 20 NCAA Division I records and averaging 19.9 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.3 rebounds over four seasons.
In 2006, she became the first freshman named to the Associated Press All-America team. A year later, she was named AP women’s player of the year, the first sophomore afforded that honor.
She again received All-American honors as a junior, and in 2009, became the first four-time, first-team All-American in women's college basketball history.
“It’s nice to be able to play at home and be around such great fans,” said Paris, a native of San Jose, Calif. “I’ve had such a great personal experience in Oklahoma. I love to play basketball and it also means a lot to me that I can do it in this state.”
“I’m hoping to be a good teammate both inside and outside the locker room,” Paris said. “I hope to bring rebounding and an inside presence to this team and come out and play hard every night.”
Paris is expected in uniform Wednesday when the Shock visits the Los Angeles Sparks.
Associated Images:
Courtney Paris started this season with the Atlanta Dream, but was waived after four games. SUE OGROCKI/AP
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