Home › Women's Basketball
Parker selected first in WNBA draft
Hornbuckle picked fourth by Detroit
Joe Ranze/AP Photo
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.
Photo Gallery
Lady Vols defeat Stanford for national title
The Lady Vols defeated the Stanford Cardinal 64-48 to win their second consecutive NCAA National Championship title at the St. Petersburg Time's Forum in Tampa, Fla.
STORY TOOLS
RELATED STORIES
Related Links
More Women's Basketball
- McMahan told to make knee top priority
- McMahan has arthroscopic knee surgery
- Fleser: Figuring a different outlook for Lady Vols
Share and Enjoy [?]
Get Reprints
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.”
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
- UT report card for UCLA
- Game film makes Fulmer madder
- Crompton suffered concussion in fourth quarter against UCLA
- It's a Hollywood disaster, but Fulmer says it's 'fixable'
- UT to play UConn in football (not women's basketball)
- Craft ready to go 'all-out' for Pearl, Tennessee
- Call into the Vol frustration line
- Next Bradshaw? UT gets commitment from combo guard Craft
- Strange: UT 0-3 in SEC by mid-October?
- Adams: Tony P's is SEC of West
Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.
Posted by juicetke on April 9, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's SPARKtacular! Sorry, i was influenced by the lame headline.
Seriously, this is great. Congratulations Candace. Good Luck and Thanks!
Posted by mgraham65 on April 9, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ABSOLUTELY, UNDOUBTEDLY, UNDISPUTABLY WELL-DESERVED HONOR FOR A TRUE ALL-AMERICAN. CONGRATULATIONS CANDACE!
Posted by volunteer4life2 on April 9, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations to our all-american, all-world Lady Vol. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
Posted by GreerVol22 on April 9, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
juice, it's also "shock-ing" that Hornbuckle was picked 4th.
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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?
Posted by marc_ash on April 9, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sigh. Although this is wonderful for Candice, it is bittersweet. Good luck in your pro career Candice, you will be missed in Knoxville. You are now a legend on Rocky Top.
Posted by LazhilUT on April 9, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GIVE HER A STREET NAMED AFTER HER!!!
Candace Parker Drive (crossover, pump fake, dunk).
Where did our other seniors get picked?
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 9, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shannon went number one in the Second Round!!!
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 9, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Candace and Shannon both going to LA!!
Posted by mgraham65 on April 9, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 9, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not much.
Rookies get about 38K
Veterans get a minimum $42K
Goes up from there to a max just over $100K
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 9, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That is why so many of them play overseas during the WNBA off season
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mgraham, last summer Fulmer said that Ainge was the football's teams Candace Parker at SEC media days. Don't ever question me again.
Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 9, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by mgraham65 on April 9, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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 CRAP, INSTEAD OF RESPECTING THE SUBJECT OF THE ARTICLE AT HAND. GROW UP.
Posted by thegoat0248 on April 9, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bobbit got picked by the Sparks too!!
Posted by tigervol9802 on April 9, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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!
Posted by 98reax on April 9, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#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
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by volroadwarrior on April 9, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good news-bad news. Pestilence, bed bugs, nirvanna, hades------------whatever! Idiots like Workin.... will blame Fulmer.
Posted by mgraham65 on April 9, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just trying to start crap... as I said before.
All caps signifies emotion (ie. excitement, anger, frustration, etc.).
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are getting emotional about this? Grow up. Or is GROW UP? LOL!!!!!
Posted by Basketball_Jones on April 9, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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
Posted by Basketball_Jones on April 9, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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
Posted by globadoc on April 9, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm happy for Shannon, but the Sparks drafted another point guard in the 3rd round, so she better watch out...
Posted by globadoc on April 9, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...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.
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 9, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alberta was drafted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All FIve Seniors got Drafted!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 9, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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!!!
Posted by stanharv on April 9, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by jimr07 on April 9, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by jimr07 on April 9, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
workinlikeheck--sir, i will question anything you say when i see a stupid uncalled for comment about which you know nothing. JERK, JERK, JERK
Posted by jimr07 on April 9, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by jdcdjc on April 9, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congragulations to all the Lady Vols and thanks for the memories.
Posted by jimr07 on April 9, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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
Posted by lnbadger320 on April 9, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
congrats lady vols. i just wonder how long the investors can support this money pit?
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like I hit a nerve with jimr. LOL!!!!
Posted by vollady on April 9, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by topgun on April 9, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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!
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by topgun on April 9, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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??
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by TommyJack on April 9, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimr: I see you've taken on your old foe once again! lol
Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 9, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by BigOrangeVol on April 9, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by KingsportVol on April 9, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Candace will go down as one of the greatest Vols ever.I dont ever think I have seen anyone play with so much heart.Not even Eric Ainge.Congrats Candace.You are a class act.You need to hook up with Lebron.Your fiance will not like you dunking on him.Go Big Orange!
Posted by UTprideAlum on April 9, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Workinlikeheck....you just got to take care of the darn ball!!!
Posted by lempga on April 9, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by Anosike55Fan on April 10, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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..
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.