Hard choice: Candace Parker vs. Cheryl Miller

By Staff and wire reports

Originally published 12:07 a.m., December 22, 2007
Updated 12:07 a.m., December 22, 2007

After seeing Tennessee women's basketball star Candace Parker up close this week, UCLA coach Kathy Olivier didn’t want to compare her to former Southern Cal great Cheryl Miller, just yet.

Olivier was an assistant at USC when Miller, as a sophomore, led the team to a NCAA title in 1984. The Trojans also reached the title game in 1986.

“I thought Cheryl played hard all the time; she was the best of the best,” Olivier said. “There are some good players that don’t understand about playing hard. Candace is a very talented player, but Cheryl was so competitive all the time.”

Parker led Tennessee with 17 points in a 82-70 victory over UCLA on Wednesday.

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