USA Q&A WIth Ashley & Courtney Paris

COURTESY USA BASKETBALL
(Written during USA Trials, May 2005)

COLORADO SPRINGS -- Even by twin standards, Ashley and Courtney Paris are unusually similar. They enjoy the same TV shows, want to visit the same cities and even have the same choice in colleges. Yet it is their basketball ability that sets them apart from other twins. Both had All-American prep careers at Piedmont High School (Calif.), where as seniors Courtney averaged 27.4 ppg. and 18.9 rpg. and Ashley contributed 17.0 ppg. and 12.0 rpg. In 2004-05. They both earned Parade Magazine 2005 All-America first team honors and Courtney was named the USA Today and Naismith Trophy for the National Player of the Year.

Last summer the two took their sister act to the 2004 USA Youth Development Festival where they led the West team to a 5-0 finish and the gold medal. Both were asked to remain for last year's Junior National Team Trials. However, it was just one, Courtney, who was named to the 2004 USA U19 World Championship Qualifying Team that won the gold and qualified the U.S. for this year's FIBA U19 World Championship. This summer they hope things will be different. They want to compete together as sisters and help the USA capture the FIBA U19 World Championship in Tunisia.

USA Basketball.com sat down with Ashley and Courtney Friday evening to find out why they chose to attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall, what it was like to grow up with a San Francisco 49er as a father and if they really are as similar as they seem.:

You both participated in the 2004 USA Youth Development Festival and trials. Do you think you have an advantage over players who are new to USA Basketball?
Courtney: I think the advantage is a lot of girls from our West team are back here again. You know them so there is some chemistry there, it's always comfortable having people you played with a lot here.

But you're competing with them for a spot on the team.

Ashley: It's competing and we're all competing for a spot on the team but as the coaches and the staff have said a lot, it's about making a team that works. Everyone that is here is good or you wouldn't be here trying out. So you're competing, but you're also trying to work together as a team and gain chemistry is a short time and see if you're part of the puzzle that fits to make a team that can compete.

How are the trials going so far?
Ashley: The altitude is kind of getting to everyone but we're competing to represent our country.

What is it like having each other out here?
Ashley: I can give her feedback and say, "Courtney, you need to work on this," and she'll do the same. It's nice to have someone from your family looking out for you.

Your father played for the San Francisco 49ers. Does your family stress athletics?
Courtney: We have four brothers and they all played sports and they always made us play with them, so we are definitely an athletic family.

Did you play any sports besides basketball?
Courtney: Just basketball, except in seventh grade when I played volleyball. I got Most Improved on the team.

Did you feel different from your friends because your father was a professional athlete?
Courtney: Not necessarily different but you have someone who played at the highest level, so it's definitely an advantage when he talks to us about competing.

Has your father given you any pointers about playing intercollegiate athletics?
Courtney: He hasn't given me any pointers about college yet but I'm sure he will later.

If you make the team, do you view this opportunity as good preparation to play for the University of Oklahoma in the fall?
Courtney: Exactly, especially for us younger girls. We've been playing high school basketball but the (college) level is totally different. If you make it, you're playing and practicing with some of the best girls in the country, so that's pretty awesome in itself. With Gail (Goestenkors, head coach of Duke University) as our head coach, it's getting us used to college basketball with high intensity practices. I think it's really going to help us get ready.

What made you choose Oklahoma?
Ashley: It just felt comfortable. Coach (Sherri) Coale means business and she wants to win. It's also a family atmosphere, it's winning with people you can trust and get along with.

Did you ever consider playing at different schools or were you always a package deal?
Ashley: We're alike so we look for the same things in schools.
Courtney: Oklahoma is the greatest school ever and I honestly think we can win a national championship there. I'd rather lose at Oklahoma than win anywhere else.

Are you two your own worst critics?
Courtney: We try to use constructive criticism but when we're in an argument the truth comes out.

Are you more similar than different?
Courtney: We're the same but we have our own personalities.
Ashley: We do things differently but we do it for the same reason.

If you could describe one another with one word, what would it be?
Courtney: Goofy.
Ashley: Courtney is a silly rabbit.

What's your favorite TV show?
Courtney: Law and Order: SVU
Ashley: Same.

Which celebrity do you most want to meet?
Courtney: I want to meet (Oklahoma forward and 2005 trials participant) Leah Rush, she's the best. She's a celebrity.
Ashley: Courtney, come on.
Courtney: I would want to meet Oprah.
Ashley: Same.

What is your dream job?
Courtney: With our high school friends we go around taping things with video cameras. We've talked with (2005 trials hopeful) Erika Arriaran and some of the other girls here about having our own sports show when we grow up. Something like the Best Damn Sports Show, Period, with just us girls being stupid.
Ashley: Mine is the same as Courtney, I don't see myself working behind a desk.

What is your biggest weakness or indulgence?
Courtney: Stuffed animals. Not dolls, just stuffed animals. They're like a part of my family, I have about 500 of them.
Ashley: Text messaging.

Where would you most like to visit?
Courtney: Paris.
Ashley: Paris.
Courtney: My last name is Paris and you can take pictures with the signs.

Favorite book?
Courtney: Tuesdays with Morrie.
Ashley: The Secret Life of Bees and In These Girls', Hope Is Enough.

Favorite musician?
Courtney: That's hard because I like so many people and kinds of music.
Ashley: John Legend.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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