Parker gets top honor
Candace Parker has earned all sorts of honors – All-American, national champion, future Olympian.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt offers another distinction: the top player in the history of women’s basketball.
“I went into the season thinking she’s one of the best ever,” Summitt said. “Now that we’re approaching the end of her career – I’ve coached Cheryl Miller, Chamique (Holdsclaw), Lynette Woodard, Nancy (Lieberman), Anne Donovan – Parker is the best.”
Parker, a junior, averaged 21.6 points and 8.3 rebounds to lead the Lady Vols this season. The All-American on Saturday was voted player of the year in women’s college basketball by The Associated Press.
She is trying to send Tennessee to a second straight national championship and sparked the U.S. team during Olympic qualifying by averaging a team-high 13.8 points in the FIBA Americas tournament in Chile. She will be a major part of the U.S. team at the Beijing Olympics.
Parker will graduate in May and not return for her last year of eligibility. She most likely will be the first pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA draft Wednesday.
Geno Auriemma of Connecticut was the coach of the year, the fifth time he won the award.
He guided UConn to a 36-1 record, the lone blemish a 73-71 defeat to Rutgers on Feb. 5. The Huskies lost two starters to season-ending knee injuries yet returned to the Final Four for the ninth time. This was UConn’s first visit since 2004.
Marquette wins WNIT
Angel Robinson had 16 points and eight rebounds to help Marquette win the WNIT title with an 81-66 victory over Michigan State at East Lansing, Mich.
Memphis mindful of Allen
The Memphis Tigers found a way to keep thoughts of suspended point guard Andre Allen with them to the Final Four.
Several Tigers kept his memory going by writing his jersey No. 15, on their shoes. Messages to ‘Dre were scrawled on their sneakers, too.
Players said they talked to Allen about his misdeed – an unspecified team rule violation – and they’ve forgiven him. Coach John Calipari has said Allen’s absence could turn out to be good motivation. His contribution was pretty minimal. Allen was a third-string point guard.
Bayless will enter draft
Arizona freshman guard Jerryd Bayless has decided to enter the NBA draft.
Athletic department spokesman Tom Duddleston confirmed Bayless’ decision.
Bayless has been projected as a lottery pick. He averaged a team-high 19.7 points this season.
Another Cardinal leaves
Louisville sophomore forward Earl Clark will skip his final two seasons and enter the NBA draft.
Clark averaged 14.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in Louisville’s four NCAA tournament games.
He is the second Louisville player to decide to leave early. Forward Derrick Caracter announced he would skip his final two years.