Parker

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The term “senior” applies to Candace Parker’s status as a student and her women’s basketball career at the University of Tennessee.

Parker said Wednesday that she will take part in UT’s senior night ceremony before a Feb. 28 game against Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena. Her inclusion in this traditional rite of passage confirms what was expected all along: The All-American forward, a redshirt junior, will forgo the extra season of collegiate eligibility available to her.

Parker, who will graduate in May, sat out her freshman season at UT after undergoing multiple knee surgeries, thereby earning the added season.

No. 3 Tennessee (23-2, 9-1 SEC) plays at Alabama (8-18, 1-10) at 7 tonight (TV: CSS) before completing the home portion of the regular season against Mississippi State on Sunday and then Florida.

“I think all along she had this plan,’’ UT coach Pat Summitt said of Parker. “She’s not the type of person who’s going to do a spur-of-the-moment thing. I’m sure she gave it some thought and talked to the people she wanted to talk to.”

Parker is a virtual lock to be the No. 1 pick in April’s WNBA draft, and the Los Angeles Sparks hold the top pick. Parker will be able to play with former Lady Vols teammate Sidney Spencer and center Lisa Leslie, a player Parker said was her “hero” when Leslie played here with the U.S. national team in an exhibition game on Nov. 4. Furthermore, the city of Los Angeles will be a great marketing springboard for Parker.

Another timing factor is the Summer Olympics taking place in China in August. Parker helped the U.S. clinch a berth in the Olympics by playing a key role at the FIBA Americas tournament in Valdivia, Chile, last September.

Along with Parker, Alexis Hornbuckle, Nicky Anosike, Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste will be honored at the Florida game. Alex Fuller, who sat out her freshman season along with Parker because of knee surgeries, will not take part. The redshirt junior forward has said she will return next season.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.