Photo by Joe Ranze
WNBA President Donna Orender, left, and first overall, Candace Parker, pose for a photo after being drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks during the first round of the WNBA draft Wednesday, April 9, 2008, in Palm Harbor, Fla.
PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Fiance Shelden Williams whispered the sweet reminder to Candace Parker.
“You dreamed of this,’’ he said. “You’ve wanted this your entire life.”
Being selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the top pick in the WNBA draft Wednesday was a dream come true for Tennessee’s star forward. It also might have been a relief, coming on the heels of the Lady Vols’ 64-48 win over Stanford for the national championship Tuesday night.
“It’s been a tough couple of hours,’’ she said. “I want to apologize to my family because I’ve been kind of stressed.”
So Williams’ timing was as good as his memory in providing some perspective.
“She got a big smile,’’ said Williams, who plays for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. “I think it calmed her down.”
Parker was one of five Lady Vols chosen during the ceremony at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club. Guard Alexis Hornbuckle was chosen fourth by Detroit. Guard Shannon Bobbitt and center Nicky Anosike were the first two picks of the second round. Bobbitt also went to the Sparks, and Anosike was chosen by Minnesota.
Alberta Auguste was picked in the third round, No. 35 overall, by New York.
In detailing the whirlwind nature of her life the past few months, Parker conceded to some second thoughts after deciding to forgo a final season of collegiate eligibility.
“I’ve wavered,’’ she said. “I think everybody wavers on decisions all the time, especially when you’re in the moment and there’s Orange surrounding you and people are begging you, telling you one more year.
“But I gave my word. I just felt like it was time for me to leave. And we left on top.”
Parker shouldn’t feel like she’s left Tennessee at all. Along with Bobbitt, former Lady Vols Sidney Spencer and Tye’sha Fluker are on the Sparks roster. Parker, Bobbitt and Spencer were UT teammates last season.
“It’s almost like the championship team of ’07 is back together,’’ Anosike said.
Spencer, who attended the draft, already was thinking like a teammate.
“I can’t wait for training camp, just to kind of take them under my wing,’’ she said. “L.A. can be kind of intimidating.”
The first priority will be determining the state of Parker’s left shoulder, which was dislocated twice during the NCAA tournament.
“I feel like I’m going to get in with the L.A. Sparks medical staff and they’re going to evaluate,’’ Parker said. “I’m sure there’ll be some communication between (Lady Vols athletic trainer) Jenny Moshak and them about my shoulder.
“I’m going into it with an open mind. I’m going to do everything in my power to rehab my shoulder. I think right now it needs rest. We’ll go from there.”
Spencer thinks Parker’s skills will be a good fit in coach Michael Cooper’s system.
“In our system, she can move around, there’s no designated spot,’’ Spencer said. “I don’t think she’s going to have a position on the court. He gives us the freedom to move around.”
Hornbuckle and Anosike also attended the draft ceremony, sharing in each other’s joy and excitement.
“I hugged Nick before I went up to the podium just like I was hugging my family,’’ Hornbuckle said.
The five Lady Vols were part of a marquee draft that included such players as LSU’s Sylvia Fowles, who went second overall to Chicago, and Stanford’s Candice Wiggins, who went third to Minnesota.
“I feel like its our class’ responsibility to raise the bar,’’ Parker said. “I think our class is capable of doing that. We raised the bar in college drastically.”
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Comments » 45
juicetke#226846 writes:
That's SPARKtacular! Sorry, i was influenced by the lame headline.
Seriously, this is great. Congratulations Candace. Good Luck and Thanks!
mgraham65 writes:
ABSOLUTELY, UNDOUBTEDLY, UNDISPUTABLY WELL-DESERVED HONOR FOR A TRUE ALL-AMERICAN. CONGRATULATIONS CANDACE!
volunteer4life2 writes:
Congratulations to our all-american, all-world Lady Vol. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
GreerVol22 writes:
juice, it's also "shock-ing" that Hornbuckle was picked 4th.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I guess if Ainge is the football team's Candace Parker, he'll be picked as high and win a few national titles, right Fulmer?
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Shannon went number one in the Second Round!!!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Candace and Shannon both going to LA!!
mgraham65 writes:
Workinlikeheck - what in the world are you talking about? Who said anything about Ainge? Some people just like to run their yap for no particular reason. I was wondering how long it would take for some A-Hole to throw some kind of negative shadow on such a positive time for the Unversity of Tennessee.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Not much.
Rookies get about 38K
Veterans get a minimum $42K
Goes up from there to a max just over $100K
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
That is why so many of them play overseas during the WNBA off season
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
mgraham, last summer Fulmer said that Ainge was the football's teams Candace Parker at SEC media days. Don't ever question me again.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
LOL! WorkinLikeHeck, I think that Fulmer intended those to be more of a relative comment to our football team.
For Example, Ainge was still the MVP of our team for yet another backed into SEC East title.
mgraham65 writes:
WHY SHOULDN'T I QUESTION YOU?
FULMER WAS TALKING ABOUT AINGE'S POSITION AS A LEADER ON HIS OWN TEAM. I DOUBT HE WAS COMPARING HIM TO PARKER IN RESPECT TO HER ROLE IN TRANSCENDING THE SPORT IN WHICH SHE PLAYS, AS PARKER HAS. EITHER WAY, THERE'S NO REASON TO EVEN DISCUSS FULMER IN THIS ARENA. YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO START phooey, INSTEAD OF RESPECTING THE SUBJECT OF THE ARTICLE AT HAND. GROW UP.
thegoat0248 writes:
Bobbit got picked by the Sparks too!!
tigervol9802 writes:
Congrats Candace!
You will now be in a professional league that is only in existance because the NBA realizes it's goodwill value even though it is as much of a black hole for money as the federal government!
98reax writes:
#1 CandACE, #4 Hornbuckle, #15 comBOBBITTulated, #16 Anosiki! WOW! Look out WNBA. CP3 and Lil Bit playing for LA together. I can't wait to be NEXT
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Would it be grown up to use ALL CAPS? LOL!!!!!
Nopee...he was talking about Ainge and Parker as it related to being a leader and leading the team to winning championships. Hopefully, Ainge can win one of some sort at the NFL level.
volroadwarrior writes:
Good news-bad news. Pestilence, bed bugs, nirvanna, hades------------whatever! Idiots like Workin.... will blame Fulmer.
mgraham65 writes:
Just trying to start phooey... as I said before.
All caps signifies emotion (ie. excitement, anger, frustration, etc.).
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
You are getting emotional about this? Grow up. Or is GROW UP? LOL!!!!!
Basketball_Jones writes:
Great for the LV. I am a little shocked that Lex was selected 4th. Not that she's a bad player by no means but she tends not to show up sometimes
Basketball_Jones writes:
Great for the LV. I am a little shocked that Lex was selected 4th. Not that she's a bad player by no means but she tends not to show up sometimes
globadoc writes:
I'm happy for Shannon, but the Sparks drafted another point guard in the 3rd round, so she better watch out...
globadoc writes:
...but Minnesota looks very strong, selecting Candace Wiggins, Nicky Anosike, and Charde Houston to go along with Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Harding. Not a bad squad, there.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Alberta was drafted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All FIve Seniors got Drafted!!!!!!!!!!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Geno just had a chit hemorage!
Geno can promise a tour of ESPN.
Pat SUmmitt can talk about being theback to back National Champion, eight titles, oh and all five Seniors were drafted!!!
stanharv#355991 writes:
Glad both Candace and Shannon are coming to LA. As I live just 5 miles south of LAX I'll get to see them out here.
jimr07 writes:
workinlikheck--why am i not surprised that you bash fulmer in an article about candace parker and the lady vols. for you information, the talking heads ARE saying that ainge is one of the biggest sleepers. again, you are a complete jerk to bring football into this string.
jimr07 writes:
workinlikeheck--sir, i will question anything you say when i see a stupid uncalled for comment about which you know nothing. JERK, JERK, JERK
jimr07 writes:
mgraham65--workinlikeheck is a nattering nabob of negativity and you can almost always count on him to bring a comment like that into this string. instead of being proud for Candace and the Lady Vols, he finds a way to bask fulmer. something tells me he does not like the football team and its head coach. just a thought.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
Congragulations to all the Lady Vols and thanks for the memories.
jimr07 writes:
I might add my congrats to the Lady Vols, Pat Summitt and all of them. The state of Tennessee has no better ambassador than our womens basketball team and the head coach. Hope Pat can match John Wooden. I have read other sports writers in other cities and they say Pat Summitt is the best basketball coach male or female. wat to go ladies
lnbadger320 writes:
congrats lady vols. i just wonder how long the investors can support this money pit?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Looks like I hit a nerve with jimr. LOL!!!!
vollady writes:
You ladies will always be my SPECIAL TEAM of the Lady Vols. All of you deserve the best because of your work ethics, your attitude, your abilities, and especially your determination as a team. Thanks for the memories and best of luck to each of you that are leaving for the WNBA. May your futures go well there also, and we will be watching even though it can never be the same. Once a Lady Vol, always a Lady Vol.
topgun writes:
Way to go Cand Ace!! Hornbuckle being selected early is no surprise. She is one of the best defenders--ever--for our lady VOLS. Did not think that Shannon would go that early-- she nails three pointers though.
Would love to see Nicky make the Lynx. Improvement on the FT percentage and she just might make the team. Happy and excited ladies all, I'll bet!
We will get to see Candace in the Olympics, barring any serious problems in China.
Just a thought. TBA's floor is named well-deservedly so in honor of Pat. If coach Pearl keeps the men's team on track and wins a NC--Should we name the doors to TBA "the Pearly Gates?" Just a thought.
And, Workinglikeheck,
THE NEXT TIME YOU POST ON A CANDACE/LADY VOLS ARTICLE, WHY NOT GO MORE OFF TOPIC AND PLEASE, OH PLEASE, GIVE US YOUR ASTUTE GUIDANCE ON THE COACHES AND PLAYERS OF THE SOCCER, TRACK, AND SWIM TEAMS. HOW ABOUT CAMPUS TRAFFIC AND THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT PROFESSORS? WE ARE SO MUCH MORE ENLIGHTENED BY YOUR SLANTED OPINIONS AND KEEN INSIGHTS TO COACH FULMER AND E. AINGE. WOW!
Cheer for the UT baseball and LV softball teams! GO VOLS!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Soccer coach - Angela Kelly does a good job but is suspended for the first game
Softball - Weeklys' do a great job. Wouldn't trade them for any other coach in America.
Swim Teams are improving and have a brand new facility to show off although Auburn owns the SEC in this area
Track - Bill Webb does as good of job as any.
Campus traffic - they are terrible especially since Ed Yovella retired and IF the Big Bird ticket writer is still there writing our parking tickets
History Professors - Dr. Fitzgerald is good but he is a little overrated in my opinion.
topgun writes:
Workinglikeheck,
Best laugh I have had in years! Almost had a heart attack. Great comeback! See isn't it fun to talk about things other than CPF and EA? Thanks, you made my day!!!
Any stock tips, other than buy low and sell high?
No comment on the Pearly gates??
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
No stock tips as of late as I am merely an amateur in that regard. Market is too jumpy right now anyhow.
Pearly Gates sound good to me, but they'd have to make appropriate and grand entrances at TBA.
TommyJack writes:
Jimr: I see you've taken on your old foe once again! lol
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Congratulations Candace and all of the seniors! Wow, could this year be any better for the Lady Vol program?
And never mind the negativity on this thread. I think it is genetic.
BigOrangeVol writes:
With Aagustus, DeForge, Abrosimova and Ohlde already in place by drafting Nic they may have picked up the missing Lynx.
Bird should be at Liberty to expand her game.
UTprideAlum writes:
Workinlikeheck....you just got to take care of the darn ball!!!
DroopyDrawers writes:
Geno, The Evil Empire strikes again. How are you feeling?
Word is Nicki Caldwell is in line for UCLA post. Coach Pat will be looking for #3 assistant. Send in your resume. The golf is great in Rocky Top.
Anosike55Fan writes:
topgun
Nicky will make the team, for her defense and rebounding alone. Her offense and Free throw shooting will improve, she's not fighting for a spot because there is no Post Player on the Lynx who can do what Nicky can do defensively. Alberta and Bobbit will have to fight hard to make their teams..
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