University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL HOOPSTER CANDACE PARKER TO REDSHIRT
February 17, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2005
KNOXVILLE, TENN. --- Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, announced this evening that Lady Vol rookie basketball standout Candace Parker would redshirt this season.
"Everyday of my life I'm asked umpteen times about Candace's future. We want to give a definite answer about the direction we are going in. With Candace's mom and dad, Jenny Moshak and Dr. Bill Youmans, we have decided to redshirt Candace this year. We want a healthy Candace Parker. We wanted her on the floor this year but she needs to be ready and 100%," said Summitt.
Parker, a 6'3" freshman forward from Napierville, Ill., took the news in stride. "I'm comfortable with the decision. I'm looking forward to feeling healthy and that's the most important thing. I wasn't feeling 100% -- this is my second major knee injury in two years. The knee is good. I'm fortunate to be at the University of Tennessee where they recognized this early. I felt in my heart that I would play this year. I feel like I'm a good healer. Jenny Moshak (Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine) is great. There are no doubts in my mind about making the decision. There are no regrets," said Parker.
Parker is widely considered to be the most highly decorated female prepster ever to enter the collegiate ranks. A multi-named National Player of the Year, Parker missed the first six weeks of her 2003-04 senior season at Napierville Central H.S., while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered the summer prior to her senior campaign. Nevertheless, Parker led Naperville to a 33-2 record and a second straight Class AA state championship, despite missing 11 games. The dunking phenom averaged 24.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.5 blocked shots and 3.3 spg.
"After starting classes in August, Candace experienced swelling in her left knee and, upon further diagnostic testing, it was determined that she needed to undergo arthroscopic surgery to assess the source of the swelling," indicated Moshak. "Her surgery on Aug. 26, involved removing loose cartilage fragments. Her follow-up surgery on Sept. 8th, was to repair both the lateral meniscus and the lateral articular cartilage in her left knee. "Dr. Bill Youmans, UT Team Orthopedic surgeon, indicated that Candace's ACL, from her prior surgery in July 2003, was in excellent condition," said Moshak.
Parker was cleared her to begin practice with the team on Dec. 26. She was able to go through several practices but as the knee experienced swelling, her time on the practice floor was limited.
Following her senior season, Parker became the first woman ever to win a slam-dunk contest, capturing the PowerAde Jam Fest that was part of the McDonald's High School All-American Game festivities. In the process, she defeated five men, including high-flying New Orleans Hornet J.R. Smith and Connecticut-bound Rudy Gay.
Prior to arriving at UT to start fall classes, Parker led the USA Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying Team to a gold medal in Puerto Rico with a perfect 5-0 record. She led Team USA in virtually every category, tallying 16.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg and held team high-water marks in assists (24), steals (17) and blocked shots (12).
