The Paris twins are headed home to California.
OU seniors Courtney Paris and Ashley Paris were chosen as the 7th overall pick and 22nd overall pick in the 2009 WNBA draft. Courtney was chosen in the first round by the Sacramento Monarchs and Ashley was the second round pick for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Courtney’s pick is the highest draft pick for the Sooners since Stacy Dales was picked third in the 2002 WNBA draft.
Courtney will be a much needed addition to the Monarchs who finished last season 20-19 and lost in the conference semifinals to San Antonio.
The Monarchs pride themselves on strong defense and Paris will be a strong rebounder to compliment notable players like Kara Lawson and Ticha Penicheiro.
As a four time All-American, Paris averaged 15.9 points and 13.6 rebounds on the season. She also led the team in field goal percentage this season shooting 56.5 percent.
She was named the Lowes Senior Class award recipient this year as well as the Big 12 Player of the Year.
One of the greatest accomplishments of her senior was her recording break streak of 112 consecutive double-doubles, which ended the night the Sooners beat Tennessee 80-70 in February.
While Paris is one of the most heralded athletes to graduate from OU, she is not the only Paris sister entering the WNBA.
Ashley will be joining one of the most notable teams in the WNBA known for great players, such as Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker.
The Sparks were the WNBA champions in 2001 and 2002.
Ashley finished her career at OU leading the offense in their last game against Louisville with 16 points. She averaged 12.6 ppg and 9.6 pg.
Ashley came into her senior year after spending the summer losing over thirty pounds and working on her mobility. The senior transitioned her game into one that was not solely under the basket.
While she was many times lost in the shadow of her twin sister, Ashley is poised to do very well and improve in the WNBA.
Overall, the WNBA draft began with Atlanta’s pick of Louisville’s Angel McCaughtry, the senior leader behind the team that defeated OU in the National Semi-finals.
The Washington Mystics chose second in the draft and picked up Marissa Coleman of Maryland.
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