honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:26 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2008

WNBA: Sparks' Parker chosen rookie of the year

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks was the unanimous choice Friday as WNBA rookie of the year.

Parker led the rookies in scoring (18.5 ppg), rebounding (9.5 rpg), blocks (2.3 bpg) and minutes (33.6 mpg). She received all 45 votes from a national panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

Coming off an NCAA title at Tennessee, Parker was the top pick in the league draft in April. She had the best rookie debut in WNBA history with 34 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a win against the defending champion Phoenix Mercury on May 17.

Parker led the league in double-doubles (17) and rebounding. She scored a career-best 40 points against the Houston Comets on July 9.

In the playoffs, Los Angeles defeated the Seattle Storm in the Western Conference semifinals before losing to the San Antonio Silver Stars in the conference finals.

The all-rookie team, selected by league coaches, included Parker, Minnesota's Candice Wiggins and Nicky Anosike, Chicago's Sylvia Fowles, Houston's Matee Ajavon and Connecticut's Amber Holt.

Ajavon and Holt tied for the fifth spot on the team.