OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma center Courtney Paris was named
the Big 12 player of the year on Friday, one of the few honors that
evaded her during a sensational freshman season.
The league's leader in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots,
Paris led No. 12 Oklahoma (23-4, 13-3 Big 12) to a share of the Big
12 title with No. 14 Texas A&M (23-5, 13-3).
"I'm really excited. I've never been player of the year, so
that's cool to win one from the Big 12," Paris said. "We have a
great conference and we have great players in it, so to stand out
and have the coaches vote for me as player of the year is very
humbling to me."
The 6-foot-4 center from California last season led Oklahoma to
a 19-0 record against Big 12 competition and set an NCAA record
with 539 rebounds in a single season on her way to becoming the
first freshman ever chosen as an AP All-American. But the
conference's highest honor went to Baylor senior Sophia Young, the
only player to top Paris in scoring average.
"I think last year a lot of people thought I should have won it
and I didn't," Paris said. "... (But) I was happy for Sophia.
She's a great player and she deserved it. I'm just happy that I
have my opportunity to have it this year."
Paris averages 24 points and 16 rebounds -- easily outdistancing
her competition in both categories. No Big 12 player is within five
points or five rebounds of her season averages.
Paris was also named Big 12 defender of the year, an honor she
shared last season with Baylor's Abiola Wabara.
Texas A&M coach Gary Blair won coach of the year after leading
the Aggies to their first ever conference title and Danielle Gant,
his top reserve, won the sixth man award.
Point guard Andrea Riley was named freshman of the year after
helping Oklahoma State rebound from an 0-16 record in Big 12 play
last season to go 8-8 in the league this season. She led all Big 12
freshmen in points, assists and steals.
Bernice Mosby, who filled Young's role after transferring from
Florida to Baylor, was chosen as newcomer of the year. She was the
conference's second-leading scorer with an 18.1-point average.
With 28 points and 18 rebounds in an 88-61 win against No. 16
Baylor on Wednesday, Paris notched her 55th consecutive
double-double.
"I don't think 10 points and 10 rebounds is a lot to ask out of
a player," Paris said.
Paris said that's what Coale told her she expected after she
arrived on campus as a McDonald's All-American out of Piedmont,
Calif. But even Coale is impressed with Paris' streak, which has
come against any number of defense and despite the occasional
illness, an impending tests or any other form of distraction.
"What she's strung together, the consistency of it all is
almost beyond comprehension," Coale said. "I think people
appreciate the fact that she's more than just a scorer or more than
just a rebounder. She impacts every single phase of the game."