LOS ANGELES - Will she or won't she?
Only Candace Parker knows for sure - if she has even made a decision after 10 games of her junior season.
Observers anticipate that Parker will leave Tennessee after this season to enter the WNBA draft in April. The Los Angeles Sparks hope the observers are right.
The Sparks won the draft lottery to get the first overall selection after finishing tied for the WNBA's worst record, and Sparks representatives came out in force Wednesday night to watch Parker at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
Co-owners Carla Christofferson and Kathy Goodman, general manager Penny Toler, coach Michael Cooper, star player Lisa Leslie and former Lady Vol Sidney Spencer joined the 4,003 who witnessed top-ranked Tennessee's 82-70 victory.
Even the Sparks' over-40 dance troupe, the Ole Skool Crew, performed at halftime.
Leslie, with her 6-month-old daughter in tow, sat behind the Lady Vols' bench.
"I'm a big fan of Lisa Leslie," said the 6-foot4 Parker, who added that she and Leslie talked Tuesday night at Staples Center while Parker was watching her brother, Anthony, play for the Toronto Raptors against the Los Angeles Clippers.
One female fan wearing a Sparks jersey said before Wednesday night's game that if Parker doesn't enter next spring's draft, "there'll be thousands of disappointed fans."
But after Wednesday night's victory, Parker gave no indication where her future lies.
"I haven't even thought about it," she said. "I'll make that decision when and if it happens.
"Honestly, I live day to day. Nothing's promised. I know; I'm living proof of it. I blew my knee out my senior year in high school and I blew my knee out again in my freshman year in college.
"If I'm blessed enough to go to the WNBA, so be it."
Amid the discussion about Parker's future, Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt has seen her demonstrate a combination of strength and vulnerability.
"She has stayed very grounded," Summitt said. "She is mature and focused enough to keep things in perspective. She went through it at the Final Four last year, with the amount of people wanting to talk to her and get in her ear.
"Afterwards, I told her that I didn't know how she did what she did with those distractions. We have to protect her as a coaching staff and be mindful of that."
After Wednesday night's victory, Parker did indicate one decision she made.
"I want to win another national championship," she said. "One can be questioned. Two is without a doubt; you can't question it. Winning another championship would just solidify my legacy and our team's legacy at Tennessee."
If the Lady Vols don't win that championship in April, the Sparks and the WNBA might have to wait.
Baugh Hurts Nose: UT freshman Vicki Baugh, who tied her season high with 11 points against UCLA, left Wednesday night's game with 14:16 to play after colliding with Regina Rogers of the Bruins.
"She took a took a pretty hard blow to her nose," Summitt said. "I think we'll probably get an X-ray just to rule out any type of fracture. Hopefully, she'll be OK."
Tennessee plays at No. 5 Stanford on Saturday. Game time is 10:30 p.m.
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Comments » 10
mcbrideut writes:
Leave early for the WNBA, hahaha, thats a joke, it is amazing that league is still around. Stay at UT, get a degree, and when the WNBA folds you have a degree to fall back on.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
tngeoff, There are a few million$$$ reasons that more men leave early than women. Candace has been awesome for the UT and for the ladies game in general. Would like to see her in Kville one more year also.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I understand that Candace is a brilliant student who probably already has her degree, going on her fourth year on campus after her freshman redshirt year, or certainly will soon. Besides, going pro doesn't just mean getting the relative pittance the WNBA offers right now. With her looks and personality, she will be a major marketing celebrity, with an income several times her WNBA salary. She can also make very good money playing overseas, where they appreciate women's BB more than we seem to here. She can't get any of that, and we are talking potential millions here, if she stays in school. That is why there was so much talk about her coming out last year. She has already given more to this school in many ways than any other female athlete ever. If she decides to go after this year, I say, "Thanks for being a Lady Vol; I wish you all the best life has to offer."
knoxtenor writes:
I'm with tngeoff: Take the high road like Peyton did, Candace. Stay, get your third championship ring (last, this, and next year's), an induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (why even wait, committee?), and a degree that will serve you well if you blow a knee in the WNBA. If you already have your degree, then start on your post-grad studies. You can complete them at, say, Ga Tech during the fall and winter while watching your new hubby play for the Hawks.
kaplan#211944 writes:
Parker is on pace to graduate this spring.
rockytopron writes:
keep in mind, if she does leave our team is still loaded with a lot of talented players including back to back #1 recruiting classes
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Seriously, wewhite, what if she blows out a knee this year, or next, before she has a chance to gain what she so richly deserves? She in particular has already had knee problems. Female athletes in general seem more subject to knee injuries than male athletes. As we all know, WNBA salaries are not mind-boggling amounts such as NBA players get, but Parker is a once-in-a-lifetime total package for marketers because of her athletic prowess, her looks, and her personality. If she suffers a career-ending injury, she will still do well in life, but there is no way she will likely make as much overall if she can't play anymore. That all makes it a real phooey-shoot for her future. I would be surprised if any of us would pass on all the possibilities she has. I am grateful she stayed this year; I hope she stays next year; either way, it is her decision and I will accept it with appreciation for all she has done for the school and the fans.
tenn32rebel writes:
Candace already has her BS degree and is currently working on her Masters. She has been as excellent in the classroom as on the court which just makes her that much more special to all Lady Vol fans. If the LA Sparks had not gotten the #1 draft pick this year, I don't think Candace would have gone pro. However, the LA market is a perfect match for her talents, both on and off the court. It almost makes me wonder if the WNBA rigged the lottery pick!!! As for me, I am content with any decision she makes. It has been a great ride for the Lady Vols and so much fun. GO LADY VOLS FOR #8!!!
SCVolsFan writes:
One more year Candace. Please?.......
It would be the lcing on the cake for UT.
You are one amazing player.
agosto1969 writes:
mcbrideut
I don't think the WNBA is going to fold anytime soon...Not when they're adding teams and the majority of the players that have to go to Europe to make good momey feel that the best skilled level pro league for women is the WNBA.
Parker is going to make so much money from endorsements, etc...that it won't matter that she'll be making peanuts when it comes to actual playing salary...
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