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June 18, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma women’s basketball all-time great Courtney Paris is back in the Sooner state.

Paris signed with the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock Monday and will join the club immediately.

"I think it is a brilliant sign," OU head coach Sherri Coale said. "Courtney is an anomaly on the basketball court. She can be an instant impact. Additionally, she is a huge draw -- fans around here love her and I think they'll follow the Shock as a result."

Paris had a decorated career at the University of Oklahoma where she established 20 NCAA Division I records including career rebounds (2,034) and career double-doubles (128). She finished her college career averaging 19.9 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for the Sooners. Paris was a four-time Associated Press All-American, earned a record three consecutive Big 12 Player of the Year awards and was a four-time member of the Big 12 All-Defensive team.

"It's nice to be able to play at home and be around such great fans," Paris said. "I've had such a great personal experience in Oklahoma. I love to play basketball and it also means a lot to me that I can do it in this state."

Paris was waived by the Atlanta Dream this season after four games this season. In 2011, she averaged 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 9.6 minutes a game for Atlanta.

"Courtney is an inside power player with a soft touch around the rim and ability to score in the paint,” Shock head coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "She is an excellent rebounder at both ends of the floor and with hard work can develop into a solid inside presence for us."

Tulsa plays at Los Angeles Wednesday, June 20, and returns to its home court for the first time with Paris Saturday, June 23.

"I'm hoping to be a good teammate both inside and outside the locker room," Paris said. "I hope to bring rebounding and an inside presence to this team and come out and play hard every night."