Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

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.

Paris captured Big 12 honors being named to the All-Big 12 First Team, All-Big 12 Freshman Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team. During the Big 12 Conference tournament, Paris grabbed a tournament record and school record of 26 rebounds in the finals. She was also named MVP of the Big 12 Conference Championships, making her the first freshman to earn these honors. She added 24 points in the tournament finals, for her NCAA-leading 30th double double of the season and 25th straight. Her 59 tournament rebounds and 19.7 average are also Big 12 championship records. In addition, Paris was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Co-Defensive Player of the Year. On March 6, 2006 she was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week for the 12th week this season.

Oklahoma advances to the program's fourth Sweet 16 after Paris led the win over BYU with 30 points and 15 rebounds. Paris is now 27 rebounds shy of setting the single-season NCAA record, established by Wanda Ford with 534 in the 1984-85 season. She has also set the NCAA freshman records for both rebounds and blocked shots. During the first round of the NCAA tournament, she totaled 27 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes for a 78-66 win over Pepperdine.

Also nominated: Erika Messam, Hartford (America East); Ivory Latta, North Carolina (Atlantic Coast Conference); Shontavia Williams, Florida Atlantic (Atlantic Sun); Candice Dupree, Temple (Atlantic 10); Natalie Doma, Idaho State (Big Sky); Katie O'Dell, High Point (Big South); Liz Shimek, Michigan State University (Big Ten); Kemie Nkele, UC Riverside (Big West); T.J. Jordan, ODU (Colonial Athletic); Jillian Robbins, Tulsa (Conference USA); Traci Edwards, Univ. of Wis.-Milwaukee (Horizon League); Meg Dalhman, Marist College (Metro Atlantic); Ali Mann, Bowling Green (Mid-American); Anne Hafeli, Oakland (Mid-Continent); Rashida Suber, Coppin State (Mid-Eastern); Kari Koch, Missouri State (Missouri Valley); Kim Smith, Utah (Mountain West); Emily Christian, Tennessee Tech (Ohio Valley); Lisa Willis, UCLA (Pacific-10); Cara Enright, Army (Patriot League); Tiffani Roberson, Univ. of Tenn. - Chattanooga (Southern); LaToya Mills, Stephen F. Austin (Southland); Chrissy Givens, Middle Tennessee (Sun Belt); Daphanie Kennedy, Pepperdine (West Coast); Tasha Williams, Louisiana Tech (Western Athletic).

*WBCA National Player of the Month is based on achievements during the respective month for nomination. All nominations must come from the conference office and the player's head coach must be a member of the WBCA.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.