Paris a Candidate for Naismith Trophy

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma freshman center Courtney Paris was named a midseason candidate for the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Paris is the only true freshman on the list and one of four Big 12 candidates.

Paris is now an official candidate for two national player of the year awards. She was also picked as a candidate for the Women's Wooden Award, in addition to being named a Midseason All-American by the Wooden board.

Sophia Young (Baylor), Tiffany Jackson (Texas) and Erin Grant (Texas Tech) were the other Big 12 selections.

The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women's players of the year.

Naismith List

The Top 30 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season. The list was narrowed down from the pre-season list of 50 candidates who were announced at the beginning of the season.

“This is the time of year when the elite players begin to show they deserve to be considered,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “When we reach the tournament, there is sure to be a very talented group of student-athletes vying for the Naismith Trophy.”

Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, will again give fans an influential voice in selecting this year's winner. Fan voting, through the power and ease of text messaging, will account for 25% of the selection process once the four finalists are announced. This program sets the standard for integrating fans into the voting process and providing them with more input than with any other major collegiate sports award

“The Naismith Trophy is special not only because it represents the best player in the country, but because it also allows college basketball fans an unprecedented voice in determining the winner,” said David Garver, Executive Director of High Growth Segments and Sponsorships at Cingular Wireless. “This is a very talented group of nominees and Cingular is excited to once again present the award and help recognize the most outstanding players in college basketball.”

These players, and others who distinguish themselves throughout the season, will be eligible for the final ballot in March when four finalists for the Naismith Trophy are announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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