This was one of those nights Candace Parker and Stanley Asumnu talked about all summer.

No more waiting game for Parker.

No more waiting for a fresh start for Asumnu.

It's official. Basketball returned to Thompson-Boling Arena with back-to-back practice sessions for the Tennessee Lady Vols and Vols on Friday night.

There was just a little more meaning for the "couple" of Parker and Asumnu.

"We've been going out close to a year now," Asumnu said of his relationship with Parker. "On Oct. 25th it will be a year."

He knows the anniversary. He knows what a long, trying year it was at times for both athletes.

Parker, a high school All-American from Napierville, Ill., missed her entire freshman season with a knee injury.

Asumnu, a senior, went through a 14-17 season in 2004-05 and saw a coaching change with Bruce Pearl being hired to replace Buzz Peterson.

"She was always there for me to talk to and make sure I kept my head up," Asumnu said. "I tried to do the same thing for her when she was hurt.

"We stayed positive. It helps when you have somebody to talk to about anything when things get tough."

And things did get tough. Parker wanted to play. Asumnu wanted to play more and experience some of the success so routine for the Lady Vols.

"I tell him I'm his biggest supporter and he's my biggest supporter," Parker said. "He definitely was there, both just to talk to and to help me with laundry when I was crutching around.

"It's going to be exciting. I think both of us are going to have great years."

The new beginning got off to a nice start on Friday.

Parker grabbed some oohs-and-ahhs from a crowd of about 300 fans on hand to watch the practice sessions. Asumnu showed the kind of defensive and transition skills Pearl is banking on this season.

"We worked hard every day this summer," Asumnu said. "We were in the gym every day and we push to make each other better.

"I want to see her accomplish her goals and dreams just like she wants to see me accomplish my goals and dreams."

Asumnu obviously respects the game of his girlfriend, but he's not conceding anything to the 6-foot-3 Parker - known for her dunking ability.

"She can't take me," he said. "She'll probably tell you she can, but I'm telling you right now she can't.

"But there's no doubt she's a wonderful ballplayer. She has some skills you don't see very often."

Pearl's Take: Pearl called Friday just another steppingstone in his rebuilding process.

"For me, it's the process," he said. "I've been working with them for five months, and this is just another step.

"I'll have that loving feeling and those big-time butterflies when we start playing games."

The Vols had nine scholarship players, four walk-ons and Anthony Passley on the court. Passley, a transfer, won't be eligible to play until next season. Senior Andre Patterson, currently suspended, was present but not allowed to take part in drills.

Summitt's Take: Summitt liked what she saw early in the Lady Vols' two-hour session.

"I think for the first hour and a half the intensity was there and they were sharp," she said. "It's kind of like a flower that's blooming and it looks beautiful, but all of a sudden the sun's shining a little too much and it starts to wilt a little bit.

"That's what happened in the latter stages of practice."

Sybil Dosty, a 6-3 sophomore center, didn't practice. She continues to rehab a thigh bruise.