MONARCHS BRING COURTNEY PARIS BACK TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH SEVENTH PICK IN 2009 WNBA DRAFT

Thursday, April 9, 2009 SACRAMENTO, CA ---- The Sacramento Monarchs today selected Courtney Paris from the University of Oklahoma with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2009 WNBA Draft, which took place at the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J.

“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to play with the Sacramento Monarchs,” said Paris. “My first WNBA game I went to was a Sacramento Monarchs game and I’ve played many games on the ARCO Arena floor from my high school days. I’m thrilled to be returning to Northern California.”

Daughter of San Francisco 49ers three-time Super Bowl champion Bubba Paris, Courtney Paris is the first four-time All-American recognized by the Associated Press and U.S. Basketball Writers Association. In 2008-09, the 6’4” center led the Sooners to the NCAA Final Four while averaging 15.9 points and 13.6 rebounds. The San Jose native set 20 NCAA records in her career and became the first college basketball player in history, regardless of gender or division, to record 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds in a career.

“We’re excited to add Paris to the Monarchs; she’s the greatest rebounder in women’s college basketball history,” said Monarchs General Manager John Whisenant. “She set many NCAA records, including becoming the all-time leader in double-doubles, which demonstrates great consistency in rebounding and scoring.”

To read more please click here.