Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today that the University of Tennessee’s sophomore Candace Parker has been named The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The WBCA presents this award annually to the top player in NCAA Division I.

“Candace Parker has been one of the most-touted collegiate players on the hardwood this season,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “Candace is an exceptional representative for Lily Margaret Wade, the WBCA and The State Farm Wade Trophy, and we are pleased to present her with this well-deserved honor.”

Parker becomes the second Tennessee women’s basketball player to receive the award. She succeeds fellow Lady Vol and 1991 Wade Trophy recipient Daedra Charles-Furlow.

Parker’s dynamic play has led the Lady Vols to their 17th Final Four and a 32-3 overall record. The 6'4 Naperville, Illinois native's relentless, majestic and versatile playing ability has her listed in the upper echelon of the best in women’s basketball.

Parker is the fastest UT player to capture 1,000 career points. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year is averaging close to 20 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals per game.

Parker’s 2006-2007 accomplishments include: John R. Wooden All-American, Associated Press All-American, and ALL-SEC honors. Parker’s success does not stop on the court, but continues in the classroom as she was named to three All-Academic teams.

"Congratulations to State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year Candace Parker," said Mark D. Gibson, Assistant Vice President of Advertising at State Farm. "Her outstanding accomplishments as a student-athlete, on and off the court, make her truly deserving of this wonderful honor. We look forward to seeing Candace fulfill the rest of her basketball dreams."

The Wade Trophy, named after the late, legendary three-time national champion Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, debuted in 1978 as the first-ever women's national player of the year award in college basketball. Past winners of the Wade Trophy include: Carol Blazejowski (1978-inaugural winner), Nancy Lieberman (1979 and 1980), Cheryl Miller (1984), Rebecca Lobo (1995), Ticha Penicheiro (1998) and Sue Bird (2002). Last year’s recipient of The State Farm Wade Trophy was Seimone Augustus (Louisiana State University), who also received the honor in 2005.

The WBCA has been in partnership with The National Association of Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) for five years in presenting The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year Award. A committee comprised of coaches, administration and media from across the United States selects the winner.

Parker will be formally presented her award at the WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at 12:00 (ET) in the Crowne Plaza’s Grand Ballroom. The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year presentation is part of the 2007 WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Cleveland, Ohio.

About State Farm
State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.6 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.22 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca™.

About NAGWS
The National Association of Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) was established to develop and deliver equitable and quality sport opportunities for ALL girls and women through relevant research, advocacy, leadership development, educational strategies, and programming in a manner that promotes social justice and change.

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 a sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.