Paris One of Four Naismith Finalists

NORMAN, Okla. -- Courtney Paris was named one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy, which is presented by Cingular Wireless to the top collegiate women's basketball player.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced that Ivory Latta (North Carolina), Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers) and 2005 Naismith winner Seimone Augustus (Louisiana State) were also finalists for the award.

“This is one of the most humbling moments of my life,” said Paris. “To be put in the same class as those three players, who have accomplished so much during their careers and for each of their teams. It is a tremendous feeling.

I also think this is a reflection of our team success. If we had not won the Big 12 or reached the Sweet 16, no one would have paid attention. Above everything else, I have to thank my coaches and teammates for putting me in this position.”

The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women's players of the year. The winner will be recognized at the Naismith Awards Banquet on April 7 in Atlanta.

“The Naismith Award is one of the most highly coveted awards in collegiate athletics. Courtney's inclusion in this list of finalists is an honor and a testament to her immediate impact on both our team and the sport of women's basketball,” said OU head coach Sherri Coale.

How To Vote For Courtney Paris Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, will again give fans a prominent voice in selecting the winner. Fan voting, through the power and ease of text messaging, will account for 25% of the selection process. 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. Fans can text message “VOTE” to “87654” to receive the final ballot and participate in the voting process. Fans will receive text messages asking them to vote, in the following order, for the Men's Naismith, Women's Naismith and both coach of the year awards. Voting for the Naismith Trophy Women's College Basketball Player of the Year will end on Saturday, April 1 at 9 p.m. ET.

The finalists were chosen through a vote by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, who narrowed the mid-season list of 30 candidates down to the final four. The Board, which is comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, based its criteria on player performance this season.

Paris is the first Sooner to be named an official finalist for the Naismith Trophy. Stacey Dales, LaNeishea Caufield and Dionnah Jackson were on watch lists and midseason lists, but none of the Sooner alums survived the final cut.

Paris won the Naismsith Trophy Women's High School Player of the Award last year after her senior season at Piedmont High School.

“I remember being at the banquet with Seimone Augustus when she won the award last year,” said Paris. “I never thought that in one year I would be a finalist alongside her.”

The honor was not the only national recognition of the day for Paris, who was also named WBCA March National Player of the Month. Leading her team to a perfect 16-0 Big 12 conference season and a 31-4 overall record, Paris is averaging 21.8 points per game to accompany her NCAA-best of 14.9 rebounds per game. The freshman center recently became the first player in NCAA history to record 700 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks in one season. She now holds the Big 12 record for points in one season, passing Edwina Brown of Texas. Her current totals are 762 points, 523 rebounds and 116 blocks.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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