Courtney Paris - Assistant Coach - Women's Basketball Coaches

Courtney Paris

Title:
Assistant Coach

Courtney Paris, the most decorated player in University of Oklahoma women's basketball history, was named assistant coach on May 13, 2020.

The first-ever four-time Associated Press and USBWA All-American in women's college basketball history, Paris starred for the Sooners from the 2005-06 through 2008-09 seasons. The center graduated from Oklahoma as the owner of 20 NCAA Division I records, plus 57 Big 12 Conference and 69 school standards, many of which are unlikely to be broken. One of Paris' most notable feats was her NCAA-record 112 consecutive double-doubles.

"Courtney Paris loves Oklahoma women's basketball," said Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale. "She has a heart for the journey of the collegiate athlete and a tremendous vat of basketball knowledge to share as, professionally, she has played with and for some of the greatest minds in our game.

"Courtney will be an outstanding recruiter, a pivotal mentor and guide for our post players, and a valuable addition to our sideline. She's a proven winner and we are thrilled to welcome her home."

Paris remains OU's all-time leader in points (2,729) and rebounds (2,034) and became the first NCAA player – regardless of gender or division – to accumulate 2,500 career points and 2,000 career rebounds. She finished her collegiate career with averages of 19.9 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game.

Paris, who is from San Jose, Calif., was named 2007 AP National Player of the Year as a sophomore, was a four-time Naismith Award and Wooden Award finalist and three-time Big 12 Player of the Year (2007-09). She was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year twice (2007-08), was Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2006) and the 2009 Senior CLASS Award winner.

During her four seasons, Oklahoma went 113-24 overall with a 55-9 mark in Big 12 play. The Sooners won three Big 12 regular season titles and two conference tournament titles, and made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, twice advancing to the Sweet 16 before making a run to the 2009 Final Four.

Paris graduated from OU in 2009 with a degree in journalism.

"I am thrilled and so grateful to Coach Coale and Joe Castiglione for this opportunity to return to my alma mater," said Paris.

"The University of Oklahoma is like home to me and though my role will be different this time around, my ambition and excitement is the same. I believe in Sherri Coale and this program now the way i believed in it 14 years ago as a freshman arriving in Norman. I'm ready to get to work!"

Paris joins the Sooners after a 10-year WNBA playing career with the Sacramento Monarchs, Atlanta Dream, Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings and Seattle Storm. The seventh overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, Paris twice led the WNBA in rebounding (2014 and 2015) and won the 2018 WNBA title as a member of the Storm. She also played professionally in Turkey, Israel and Spain for nine seasons.