Tulsa World: OU's Paris twins going back to California for pro careers

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OU's Paris twins going back to California for pro careers

Courtney Paris, left, and her twin sister Ashley walk onto the court at Lloyd Noble Center during ceremonies for their final home game this season. STEPHEN HOLMAN/TULSA WORLD

By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Published: 4/9/2009 2:37 PM
Last Modified: 4/9/2009 3:50 PM

Sports Editor Mike Strain's blog: Courtney Paris was more than great college player. She showed class.

The Paris twins are going back to California, but to different cities for their professional basketball careers.

University of Oklahoma center Courtney Paris was chosen seventh by the Sacramento Monarchs in the first round of the WNBA draft Thursday. A little while later, Ashley Paris was chosen in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks. Ashley Paris, who helped OU to the Final Four this season, was the 22nd player chosen overall.

The Paris sisters are from Piedmont, Calif., approximately 80 miles from Sacramento and 370 miles from Los Angeles.

Sacramento opens its preseason May 21 with a road game against Seattle. The Monarchs open the regular season with a home game June 6 against Seattle.

“I hope to bring rebounding and scoring to the low post,” Courtney Paris told Rebecca Lobo on ESPN. “I also hope to provide blocked shots.”

Last season, Sacramento finished 18-16 and reached the Western Conference semifinals.

When asked if she would save a portion of her WNBA salary to repay her scholarship at the University of Oklahoma from a pledge she made on senior night: “Of course I will, you know that,” Paris quipped.

Los Angeles finished with a 20-14 record last season and reached the Western Conference finals. Ashley Paris will play with the league's top pick from a year ago, Tennessee's Candace Parker, who is expected to return from maternity leave in July.

“It’s feels great,” Ashley said. “... I get the opportunity to play with Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie and learn from them. I’m really excited. I’m thrilled.”

The Sparks open the season with an exhibition game May 31 at Connecticut. The regular season begins with a home game June 6 against defending champion Detroit.

The WNBA season concludes in September.

Courtney Paris, a four-time consensus All-American, averaged 15.9 points and 13.6 rebounds as a senior.

She had an NCAA record 112-game double-double streak. The streak ended this season. She finished her career with 128 overall.

Courtney Paris became the first player in college basketball history — male or female — to register more than 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds in her career.

The Paris twins were joined by their father, Bubba and OU coach Sherri Coale at the draft in Secaucus, N.J.

In other draft news, Texas A&M's Danielle Gant, who attended Putnam City West High School in Oklahoma City, was chosen in the second round by the Chicago Sky. Gant was the 16th pick overall.

The first player chosen in the draft was Louisville All-American Angel McCoughtry, who led her team to a 61-59 Final Four win over Oklahoma on Sunday. McCoughtry was chosen by the Atlanta Dream.

By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS

Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Paris sisters are returning home," which was published on 4/10/2009. So far, 17 comments have been made.

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