Dammit, Courtney Paris is the best player ever!

As someone who used to cover women's hoops and have an AP vote, I still get 8 million women's basketball e-mails every day.

None quite like this little slice of heaven from Oklahoma's Jared Thompson.

I feel horrible for this guy, especially because I've just recently learned to (mostly) control my own temper. But maybe it can be a nice reminder for everyone to watch your temper.

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Texas A&M’s Danielle Gant was named Big 12 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week today for games played Feb. 18-24.

No disrespect to Danielle Gant’s accomplishments, but this week’s Big 12 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week voting was absurd. It was bad enough when the selection had to come down to “co-players of the week” whenever Courtney Paris was involved. In fact, over the past three seasons, there were six votes when co-player honors were awarded by the conference, Paris had to share the nomination on five of those occasions. Apparently, setting two conference records and totaling more points and rebounds than any other player in the league isn’t enough to get a sixth share.



Last week’s statistics, plain and simple, follow.



Danielle Gant, Texas A&M: 34 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, 4 steals

Wins versus teams that were 5-6 and 4-7, respectively, in the Big 12 (unranked Iowa State and Texas)



Notable: Reached 1,000 career points in her 91st game



Courtney Paris, Oklahoma: 45 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists, 9 blocks, 4 steals

Wins versus teams that were 9-1 and 9-3, respectively, in the Big 12 (then-No. 15 Kansas State and No. 17 Oklahoma State)



Notable: Reached 2,000 career points in her 94th game, faster than any player in Big 12 and Oklahoma history; became Big 12’s career offensive rebounds leader (her 32nd Big 12 Conference record)





Other questionable Big 12 Player of the Week votes this year:



Dec. 10

POW: Bianca Smith, Colorado: 38 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 blocks, 1 steal, 55% FG (wins vs. Wyoming, at Vanberbilt)

Courtney Paris, Oklahoma: 39 points, 36 rebounds, 2 assists, 8 blocks, 2 steals, 60% FG (wins at Illinois, at Tulsa)



Dec. 28

POW: Danielle Wilson, Baylor: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 55% FG, 32 minutes played (win vs. St. John’s)

Courtney Paris, Oklahoma: 14 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 blocks, 2 steals, 50% FG, 22 minutes played (win vs. Central Arkansas)



Feb. 4

POW: Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska: 32 points, 20 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 4 steals, 54% FG (wins vs. Kansas State, at Missouri)

Courtney Paris, Oklahoma: 30 points, 27 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 50% FG (wins vs. Kansas, at Texas)



Feb. 11 (Co-Players of the Week)

Alison Lacey, Iowa State: 46 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 blocks, 0 steals, 45% FG (wins vs. Texas Tech, Missouri)

Courtney Paris, Oklahoma: 35 points, 31 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 blocks, 0 steals, 68% FG (wins at Missouri, vs. Colorado)

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Jared Thompson
University of Oklahoma
Athletics Media Relations

McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics
180 W. Brooks, Suite 2525
Norman, OK 73019

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Here is the second letter, sent 30 minutes later...

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I apologize for describing the voting of the Big 12 WBB Player of the Week vote as “absurd” and thank those of you who were upset by the statement. I realize this is very unprofessional and let a moment of frustration take over my emotions.



I understand that the spirit of the award is to recognize the best performance of the week, and often, it is one measured by an above average performance rather than overall statistics. The point I was attempting to make, rather poorly, was that too often Courtney Paris has been overly deserving of the award and has either been dismissed or has had to share the honor. This is rather difficult to explain when nominating players for national awards when they can only win their conference player of the week award once the whole season.



Again, I am truly sorry for my actions and ask you not to take it as a reflection of the University of Oklahoma and its women’s basketball staff and players.



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Jared Thompson
University of Oklahoma
Athletics Media Relations

McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics
180 W. Brooks, Suite 2525
Norman, OK 73019

(PHONE NUMBERS REDACTED BY HAMMER PANTS IN A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO SAVE A MAN WHO COULD STILL QUITE EASILY BE LOCATED)

 

Good job redacting those phone numbers. "Jared Thompson" can breathe easy at the University of Oklahoma, whatever that is.

 

That made me laugh.

 

Jonas Brothers vs. Zac Efron: Who's Hotter?

 

Yeah, I redacted the numbers ... and now I realize the futility of my ways.

I guess, like Jared, I should have thought more before hitting enter.

 

While he had a point, it might not be the best way to express it.

Courtney Paris is the fucking bomb though. Not as good as Candace Parker, but a great, great player.

 

No doubt. Also, she would kick Candace Parker's ass in a fight.

 

Well put.
All of us in media should know that these POW awards are spread around so that several people can be recognized over the course of a season.
Truth be known, Paris and her ilk, in other conferences, should receive these awards probably 75 percent of the time.
But it's a "share the wealth" sort of thing and SIDs, of all people, should know this.

 

Especially since she and her sister would probably team up in the fight. They are not small women.

 

Is this the same guy who "reviewed" tape of a certain game in which Paris only got 8 or 9 rebounds, and magically found two more over the course of the game, thus keeping a cherished double-double streak in tact?

Or was that someone else.

 

I'm impressed that Hammer actually opened the e-mail and read all that. I just delete them 99 percent of the time.

 

Funny, Mr. Thompson, I didn't hear Sherri Coale complaining.