The OU women's basketball team will take the court this season with two of the most highly recruited high school players in the country, center Courtney Paris and forward Ashley Paris.

The Paris sisters are identical twins from Piedmont, Calif., and come from a sports background.

"My family's been athletes; my brothers and my dad," Ashley said. "(You) know that throughout high school and college you were going to play some sport."

Double Trouble



o Ashley and Courtney Paris hail from Piedmont, Calif.



o The twins played in the 2005 McDonaldhs All-American game.

Their father, William "Bubba" Paris, was an All-Pro for the San Francisco 49ers.

"He really wanted us to play," Ashley said.

Head coach Sherri Coale said Bubba taught the girls by example and raised them well.

Ashley said they used to play sports in the driveway with their brothers growing up.

"When we were younger, we used to play on co-ed teams with guys," Ashley said. "I think the first time I realized I wanted to play college girls basketball was my first girls game. I knew I had an advantage with my size and my height."

Courtney said she knew she loved basketball from a very young age and that she knew she had the body and the build.

"I was made to be a center," Courtney said.

The Paris twins were recruited heavily by top programs such as UConn, Texas, Syracuse and others.

Coale said the coaching staff celebrated when they learned the twins had committed to OU.

"It was an emotional experience," Coale said. "They were proactive about the experience."

Courtney said she liked the program and Ashley said she liked the coaches and players.

Growing up Courtney said she thought she and her sister would experience college together, but a typical out-of-state freshman athlete has to come to a team alone without friends or family.

"We knew they were going to be together from the beginning," Coale said. "Sure they were coming together, but we recruited them separately."

Ashley said she likes the fact that they can experience college together.

In the past, the Sooners have been a primarily guard oriented team. Coale said this wasn't because of a coaching philosophy it was because of the players they had.

"I think they will bring a new dimension to our team," Coale said. "It's an early Christmas present for our guards."

Courtney said she is ready to contribute.

"I'm in the best shape of my life," Courtney said. "We've gained chemistry fast."

Coale said the team would be inside and outside now and will play to their strengths.

Courtney said in the past the team has been more finesse, but she said she think the twins bring power.

The Paris twins are no stranger to pressure and playing in a big environment, as Courtney has won the gold medal with the 2005 USA under-19 World Championship team, and both played in the McDonalds All-American game.

"They're freshmen but not typical freshmen," Coale said. "They have played on grand stages."

There may be no stage bigger than Division I basketball, but Coale said they are extraordinary kids and a joy to be around .

"They're humble," Coale said. "The upperclassmen helped them coming in, but you have to credit all of them."

Ashley said her biggest expectations are her own.

The hype is something Courtney said she doesn't buy into.

"Just because you're getting hype doesn't mean you're good." Courtney said. "Just because I'm getting it doesn't mean I feel I'm better."

Courtney said she wants to win a national title, but she said she thinks the team will get a lot out of their freshman year no matter what happens.

"I won't be satisfied without a national championship," Ashley said.
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