Parker claims her third Naismith Award

TAMPA, Fla. - Candace Parker pulled off a rare awards feat Monday.

The Tennessee forward was presented with the Naismith Trophy, becoming the fifth women's player to win this national player-of-the-year award for college and high school.

Parker won the high school Naismith in 2003 and 2004 when she played for Naperville (Ill.) Central High.

"We are proud to welcome a former winner back into the Naismith family, especially someone who has achieved excellence on a consistent basis,'' said Gary Stoken, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. "Candace has enjoyed a tremendous season and career at Tennessee and the college game will miss her dearly."

Parker, who beat out Stanford's Candice Wiggins, LSU's Sylvia Fowles and Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, was selected by the Tipoff Club's board of selectors and by the fans, who accounted for 25 percent of the overall vote.

"The Naismith Award has been long considered as one of the top honors for both high school and collegiate athletes,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "Candace Parker is one of those rare talents who has been able to win the award on both levels."

Parker is leading Tennessee is scoring (21.4 points per game) and rebounding (8.5) this season.