From One WNBA Great to the Next: Interview with Courtney Paris

Courtney Paris was one of the best women's college basketball players of this era. She is now a member of the Chicago Sky and nice enough to do this interview with me:

BW: Do you regret going to Oklahoma over champ UConn?

CP: No, I don't regret going to Oklahoma over UConn... they were my top two schools but I feel like Imade the right choice. UConn is a great program and I wanted to go to Oklahoma and help make it become great as well.

BW: What was your most embarrasing moment of your career and why?

CP: Most embrarrssing moment had to be top of my junior year I was with the national team in Chile and I thought our game was 3 hours earlier then it was. So I had my uniform and bag and everything ready to go at our team lunch and I walk into the room and everyone else is in their normal clothes, then Diana Turasi goes, "Hey coach look like the rookies ready to play."

BW: What was your toughest moment and why?

CP:Toughest moment had to be my last college game in the Final Four, I really wanted to win a national championship but the thing that was really tough was knowing that it was the last time I would play with that group of girls.

BW: Who was your idol?

CP:I love Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever.

BW: Do you think women will play in the NBA? If so, do you think you will?

CP: Well right now we are forturnate to have our on National Basketball Association in the WNBA but if a women were to play in the NBA I would say it would be Candace Parker. Most post players in the nba are between 6'10- 7 feet. Candace is 6'5 and she has guard skills so she would probably be the best to do it.

BW: Who is your toughest opponent?

CP: I find most times the toughest opponent is myself.

Interview with Kym Hampton

She will undoubtedly go down as one of the most dominant centers in WNBA history. Known for her tough moves around the basket and tenacious rebounding, this Louisville, KY, native's playing career spanned two decades while her influence and community involvement is unmeasured. Her name is Kym Hampton and here is our interview:

BW: Who was your idol and why?

KH: I never really had one. I just appreciate people that are great at

what they do and carry themselves in a classy manor.

BW: What NBA were you similar to when in the WNBA?

KH: I'd say Charles Barkley and Oakley, Olajuwon (and I'm talking from

the onset to finish of my career).

BW: Do you think women will ever play in the NBA? If so, when?

KH: I don't think so. I wonder why people would want to diminish the

great skills of a woman by placing her in an environment that doesn't
consistently showcase those skills?

BW: How do you think the Liberty will be this year?

KH: I think the Liberty is going to have a great season this year. We

added some great players to the roster and they are ready to go! You
guy's should come to some games this year!

BW: Who is your favorite current WNBA player?

KH: I like Candice Dupree, Silvia Fowler, Cappie Pondexter, Shameka

Christon, Kia Vaughn, Diana Taurasi, Lauren Jackson...so many more.

BW: How long do you think the UConn womens win streak will last?

KH: Until this upcoming season.