Parker
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.
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Comments » 74
WYLOVER writes:
yawn
HotlantaVol writes:
Parker - if you are not returning in 2008-2009, that means you need to step it up and win it all again this year. Treat it like it's definitely your last year and leave it all out on the court . . . and dunk on Florida!!!
tigervol9802 writes:
Suddenly explains a whole lot.
I'll still miss #5 a lot more.
Tee writes:
I am not surprised with her husband-to-be being traded to Sacramento. Best of luck Candace. We will miss you! Just stay focus on this season -- Go Lady Vols and let's get #8!
Agent_Orange writes:
Stay focused.
juicetke#226846 writes:
Seems like that should be a reward for staying throughout your college career. I wonder if she will get to sign the column in the locker room that others have signed for graduating.
Maybe she is graduating, Does anyone know if she will have her diploma?
Who am I to question one of the best basketball coaches ever though?
She will be missed.
volchiq writes:
I am pretty sure that she has already graduated in December and is currently doing graduate work. I am not completely sure what she is doing now, but she will have graduated a Lady Vol to keep Pat's streak of graduating players going.
todd#529269 writes:
who cares!
juicetke#226846 writes:
Thanks volchiq. Good thing I didn't jump to conclusions and start bad mouthing like what happens many times on this site.
I didn't know. Glad the streak continues.
vol4jesus writes:
If you don't like it keep your keyboard quiet!
superk#226173 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
juicetke#226846 writes:
I shouldn't laugh but I just spit water all over my screen, superk.
Tee writes:
With her fiancee being traded from ATL which is 4 hrs away across to CA where she most lightly will be picked as #1 pick in WNBA for Los Angeles Sparks which is 4-5 hrs away from where he is instead of 2500 miles away. Big difference when you are planning a wedding.
Yes Candace will be missed!
ctownvol writes:
Ok. I guess I am ignorant. Who is her fiance?
tigervol9802 writes:
4 hours from Knoxville to Atlanta?????
Do you drive 411 instead of I-75, or just still think the speed limit is 55 MPH on interstates?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
One would hope that she would also be interested in hoisting another grail afore she left. She has been the bomb. Godspeed.
juicetke#226846 writes:
Her fiance is Sheldon Williams who played at Duke.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shelden...
Tee writes:
Well some people do not drive as quick as others so I just put 4 hours and it depends on where you are going in ATL as well...smart*&%!
ctownvol writes:
Thanks Juicetke. TKE? As in Tau Kappa Epsilon?
juicetke#226846 writes:
Yeah, I was a teke at UT-Chattanooga where I played football.
ctownvol writes:
Good to hear. I was a TKE at Valdosta State University in South Georgia in the early 90's. Good to meet ya brother. ZN625
juicetke#226846 writes:
Good to meet you too. I was there in late 90's. Sigma Omega 137.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Candace graduates in May, her beau did play for Atlanta Hawks.
Candace is a great player, and has done great things! She will be missed.
At the same time, Candace is so good, that other players on the team often step back and think she will do it all. The Lady Vols may actually be a better "team" without her, I know that sounds stupid.
WE all thought that the 3 point game would be gone after after Zolman and Spencer graduated. Angie is a better 3 shooter than either, and a better defender than ZOlman. CPS seems to be able to find the right recruits to fill out the roster.
Hopefully Cate will be back to 100% next year to run the point, Bobbitt will be missed either way, as will Nicky and Lex.
Good luck to them all in their future endevors!
marc_ash#231781 writes:
vol4jesus, we really don't need to hear phooey like your spinning.
vol4jesus writes:
superk that was uncalled for and obscene. See the rules? It was definitely off topic.
cjraney writes:
If she's a Senior she should participate, if not, she shouldn't.
KennesawVol writes:
She's too good-looking for Williams.
utang1602#204610 writes:
Well, cjraney, that would be a simple thing if she were considered the same grade level in athletics as she is in academics. Candace graduates in May and she has been at UT since Fall 2004. That means her transcript would reflect senior standing. To the NCAA, in terms of eligibility, she's only a junior. So it's all dependent on your perspective.
cjraney writes:
utang1602-
Exactly why I didn't pretend to know the "correct" answer and judge the decision either way.
I do agree w/Kennesaw though. And hopefully any kids will shun the potential uppity-ness of Duke and choose to wear the Orange & White.
Go Vols!
zjcvols#543765 writes:
Look at this team next year when CP3 leaves. Who going to score. Angie averages 10 per game. Next year might be Pat's worst team. She loses 4 startes! This is horrific. CP3 is the second best player in UT and will have a claim to be the best if we win one this year. She is a top-10 player ever in WCBB and this is a blow to the gut for the UT program
smitbo7 writes:
Good Luck.
THE_VOL writes:
BORING!!! And for all you experts on here - her fiance just got traded to Sacramento. Hope he banked his money so far cause he'll be out of the league in two years. And it's absolutely amazing for such big time "FANS" to know so damned little about their star player! LMFAO!!! Women's hoops - why?????????
TommyJack writes:
Superk: Cute. Did you have no "raising"?
PureOrange writes:
Some of the comments are certainly uncalled for. Candace lifted all our spirits when she chose Tennessee, and she has not been a disappointment. I would love for her to be back next year, but that is her decision. I thank her for wearing the orange and making us proud. She has brought even more attention to UT and I believe she has helped us get other great players. The idea that anyone could put her down makes me wonder where these people have been and if they have any idea about her worth to this team and to Tennessee.
Have a good life, Candace. We will always be proud you are a Lady Vol. Now, go bring another banner home!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well said, jh43. As for next year, the team will have plenty of talent, it just won't be as experienced--Cain, Baugh, Bjorklund, Fuller, Smallbone, and others, plus another (ho-hum) four incoming high-school All-Americans. In fact, I think I saw that some ranking placed all four of them in the top ten! After having all the pressure that comes with such a great player as Candace, the Lady Vols will be the "hunters" for a change instead of always being the "hunted". Without Candace, not to mention Alexis and Nicky, they know they will all have to bring it and will have the chance to do so. Pat will have the luxury of fostering an "us against the world...no one respects us" attitude. There may be a slight dip next year, but the team should be scrappy and fun to watch. Thanks for all you have done for us, Candace! Bring us another NC on your way out! Best of everything in the future for you!
Volfantm writes:
Ditto jh43. Whatever she chooses for the future I wish her the best. Gotta wonder though, if they get 8 in 08 this year would she want to try for a threepeat?
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
Pat is going to have a lot of good players, but with loosing 4 seniors (3 starters), Pat is going to have to learn to coach again. Could be without everyone standing around watching CP Pat just might have a better team. Going to miss Bobbitt, but she does play out of control at times. I honestly look for Angie to pick up on her scoreing. It will be more of a "team" next year.
bamacheats writes:
I think I saw Shelden Williams on Star Trek. They kept referring to him as a Klingon?
GreerVol22 writes:
If Pat needs a hug, and says its ok, then fine by me!
gary235 writes:
good luck and thanks for playing for UT
Hunter writes:
KennesawVol - bingo. That is one ugly dude. He makes a better fit with Diana Taurasi. That girl looks like a pteradactyl but with a worse attitude.....
rdberry#654521 writes:
Farewell to the royal Princess that graced Knoxville for the past 3 years. It's on to other callings for you now. You must not only earn your hoop livelihood, but save the league that Cynthia Cooper spawned some 11 years ago. You have left the college game better for your participation. I trust you will accomplish even greater milestones professionally. Candace, treat life like a buffet. Be the ICON that befits you. You should have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. You are the only woman beautiful enough to follow Beyonce. Do a music video with JAY Z, Nee YO or 50 cent. Take your talent beyond the boundary of sports to entertainment and the causes that advance humanity. You have the talent, the charisma, and the intelligence to accomplish whatever you wish. God bless you in life, and may life bring you happiness, and the strength to endure any crisis you may encounter.-Like Naughty By Nature should have said-Ya' Down with CP3-Yeah You Know Me-All the Best to You & Shelden-Maybe you can give Pat one more title in parting-Sincerely- Your # 1 fan from Maryland-I was a Comet fan-Now Sparks-All the Way
volfan#207874 writes:
Sincere thanks to Candace for wearing the Orange, and best of everything in the future. May your future life be as exciting and happy time that you have provided the Vol faithful for the past seasons that you have graced "The Summit! to crownvol and juicetke...I hope that you continue to be happy with your association with TKE. For me I started out as "Eye Felta Thi", but in my jr. year I switched to the fraternity "Rapa dama Dey".. <snicker, snort>
twicevolalum writes:
It's amazing how people comment on stories that they don't read.
"The term “senior” applies to Candace Parker’s status as a STUDENT and her women’s basketball career at the University of Tennessee... Parker, who will graduate in May, sat out her freshman season at UT after undergoing multiple knee surgeries, thereby earning the added season."
You don't just get status by going to school, you have to have so many credit hours to have senior status. So, yes Parker will graduate in May. No, she has not graduated yet but she will. Yes, one can assume from the article that she will get to sign the wall. No, she is not leaving early, she was just extended an extra season because she red-shirted a season.
Personally, I think she should get to participate in senior night because, ladies and gentlemen, she is a SENIOR. Overall, I think this story is a newsless story that KNS wrote to in order to have something to write about. But, honestly, I wish all the naysayers and negative commenters would actually READ before they make ignorant comments.
usmcladyvolfan writes:
I wish Candace would stay we are goingto really miss her, just maybe her staying would give Pat some time to recruit that 6'8 girl who is curently a junior in Texas to be her replacement, just watching videos of her she is awesome, but said to have already verbally committed to Baylor. Anyways Candace will always be remembered in all of the lady vols fans heart she truly was one of the best to come through if not the best
anthony writes:
I wounldn't be surprised if the Lady Vols ran the table the rest of the way!!! Way to go Lady Vols, and thanks be to God and to Candace's decision to come to Tennessee!! God bless you and our love and devotion goes on with you.
emmanett writes:
I'm sad. I really wanted Candace to stay that extra year. But it's her decision. Best of luck to her. GO CP3 AND UT LADY VOLS!!!!!
slimsaysgovols writes:
ANYBODY EXPECTIN CANDICE PARKER TO COMEBACK, WASENT KEEPIN IT REAL WITH THEMSELVES. THIS SHOULD NOT B A SUPRISE TO ANYBODY WHO IS A VOL FAN.
MissUT writes:
Do any of you actually READ the article before making a comment??? If so, then you would know that she graduates in MAY, as a senior. She sat out her freshman year while recovering from knee surgery. I believe that she is a senior and joins all the other Lady Vols that have graduated...all 100% of them. She is quite a lady and we have been blessed to watch her for the 3 years she has played for TN...hopefully, she will help hang another banner as a parting gift. Good luck, CP3!
Jward writes:
MissUT, the KNS staff regularly update the articles posted on this site. Sometimes information that was originally omitted will be placed in the updated articles. This article was originally published at 1:01 pm and last updated at 8:05 pm. Her graduation date was not in the original article.
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