Monarchs rookie Paris adjusts to lesser role.

Courtney Paris has always been the franchise player, so to speak. That changed last month when six teams passed on Paris in the WNBA draft. Instead of being selected by a team that needed Paris to be the dominant force she’s always been, she slipped to No. 7, where the Monarchs selected her out of [...]

For once, Monarchs’ Paris isn’t focal point.

As she strolls into the foyer of her old high school gym, dressed casually in shorts, a long-sleeve T–shirt and flip flops, Courtney Paris is immediately recognizable as a tall, somewhat overweight basketball player. She has broad shoulders and a thick upper body. She has strong hands – her handshake is firm and confident – [...]

Picking apart Paris: OU star faces issues in adjusting to WNBA.

Paris, a four-time consensus All-American from Oklahoma, has drawn the most interest from Washington and Minnesota, two teams in need of a center.  “People are concerned about her lack of athleticism,” said former WNBA star Nancy Lieberman. “They marvel at her basketball IQ and her ability to rebound blocked shots. The people I’ve talked [...]

The $64,000 question: Will Courtney Paris’ big bet pay off?

Bill Veeck had nothing on Courtney Paris. The man who sent a midget to the plate and signed off on Disco Demolition night in Cleveland would stand up and cheer — were he not deceased — the promotional instincts of Oklahoma’s wide-bodied, 6-foot-4 Superwoman. What has Paris unleashed? She has given her teammates — including [...]

Paris’ title pledge works beautifully on many levels.

By any measure, she has already fulfilled her obligation to Oklahoma 10 times over. Paris may be the best college center in the history of her sport. In the WNBA, she can expect to parlay that talent into a salary that will be capped at close to $100,000 – a nice sum, but not enough [...]

Courtney Paris: A career to remember.

A year before Paris arrived in Norman for the 2005-06 season, the Sooners averaged 5,695 fans at home. With one home game remaining on the current schedule, they are averaging 10,128. The 6-foot-4, three-time consensus All-American will take her final bow at 7 p.m. on Wednesday when Texas Tech visits the No. 3 [...]

Record player: OU star shoots for 109th straight double-double.

To put Paris’ streak in perspective, Anne Donovan of Old Dominion (‘82-’83) is next on the list with a mere 19 straight double-doubles. “I think it’s absolutely amazing that night in and night out she has had the physical and mental ability to perform every night,” Colorado coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said. “That is [...]

Paris twins still covet a national title.

It’s been three years since Courtney Paris became the next big thing in women’s basketball, she and twin sister Ashley raising the profile and expectations at Oklahoma after stellar careers at Piedmont High. National title runs were the presumed follow-ups to the records that fell in Courtney’s star-making freshman season. But as the twins’ senior [...]

Sooners more than just Paris.

The Sooners are led by three-time All-American senior center Courtney Paris, who looks to extend her streak of double-doubles to 97 and figures to be the top post player selected in April’s WNBA draft. The host Huskies will counter with junior Tina Charles, she of the ever-expanding offensive repertoire, who likely will be the top [...]

Paris wants to give Sooners more than just sizable stats.

“I didn’t want to come here and just be an All-American. I wanted to be a difference-maker and be on a team that goes to the national championship. That’s what I’m focusing on more than whatever the double-doubles are and trying to keep up with all that stuff.”http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/womensbasketball/big12/2008-11-06-oklahoma-paris_N.htm?csp=34