Parker is still likely No. 1

The injury this week to Tennessee women’s basketball star Candace Parker should have no effect on her status heading into next week’s WNBA draft, according to some of the league’s coaches, including Michael Cooper of the Sparks, who hold the No. 1 pick.

Parker, a redshirt junior for the Lady Vols and the NCAA player of the year last season, dislocated her left shoulder twice Tuesday night in a 53-45 victory over Texas A&M; in the Oklahoma City Regional final of the NCAA tournament.

After the second time, which came late in the first half, Parker went to the locker room and did not return until there was just over 10 minutes left in the game and with the score tied, 36-36. She scored eight of her 26 points down the stretch, lifting Tennessee to its sixth Final Four appearance in seven years.

The WNBA draft is scheduled for Wednesday in Palm Harbor, Fla., the day after the national championship game in nearby Tampa.

Parker’s injury may be cause for concern for Tennessee, but not her future employer.

“She still, certainly, would be a No. 1 pick,” Cooper said. “That young lady can definitely play basketball.”

Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt spoke with Parker and trainer Jenny Moshak on Wednesday, and said Parker was still sore, but the pain and swelling had not worsened and she expected her to be available Sunday against Louisiana State.

“She is so strong and she has worked so hard in the weight room,” Summitt said. “That worked to her advantage last night.”

Parker has a history of injuries. She underwent reconstructive surgery on her left knee in high school, then was forced to redshirt during her freshman year at Tennessee after the same knee was found to be damaged shortly after she arrived on campus, requiring another surgery. She left a game at Mississippi State two months ago after hyper-extending the knee, and has been nursing chronic injuries to her right shoulder. Now, it’s the left.

Cooper, however, downplayed the significance of Parker’s health issues.

“She has played a lot of basketball,” Cooper said. “That young lady hasn’t had a real good time to rest.”

Marynell Meadors, coach of the Atlanta Dream, said Parker may have even improved her portfolio against Texas A&M.;

“When that shoulder popped out like that, that’s very painful,” she said. “I just thought it showed a lot of toughness on her part.”

Bill Laimbeer, coach of the Detroit Shock, which has the No. 4 pick overall, said he expected Parker to be long gone before it’s his team’s turn to make a selection.

“Wish I could get up there and trade with L.A., get the No. 1 pick,” Laimbeer said. “But [Cooper] won’t let me do that.”

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