Ashley Paris (born September 21, 1987) is an American basketball player. She is the twin sister of former
WNBA center
Courtney Paris
Courtney Paris (born September 21, 1987) is an American basketball coach and former player. She is currently an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. She last played as a center for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketb ...
, who last played for the
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm are an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The Storm competes in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The team was founded by Ginger Ackerl ...
and is currently an assistant coach at the
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahom ...
. She has been nationally recognized for her basketball achievements at the
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahom ...
. She was selected on April 9, 2009 with 22nd overall pick in the
2009 WNBA Draft by the
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks (LA Sparks) are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Sparks compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The team was foun ...
.
High school
Paris played for
Modesto Christian High School
Modesto Christian School is a private Christian school in Salida, California, on the outskirts of Modesto. It was formerly affiliated with the Assemblies of God;Private school directory, 2013–14, updated August 6, 2014, downloadable aPri ...
in
Modesto, California
Modesto () is the county seat and largest city of Stanislaus County, California, United States. With a population of 218,464 at the 2020 census, it is the 19th largest city in the state of California and forms part of the Sacramento-Stockton- ...
and then transferred to
Piedmont High School in
Piedmont, California
Piedmont is a small city located in Alameda County, California, United States, completely surrounded by the city of Oakland. Its residential population was 11,270 at the 2020 census. The name comes from the region of Piedmont in Italy, and it me ...
, where she was named a
WBCA All-American. She participated in the 2005
WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored eight points.
College
On May 21, 2006, she was named a 2006 USA U20 National Team finalist. She chose the University of Oklahoma over such schools as Texas, UConn, Cal and Syracuse. Ashley and twin sister Courtney helped the Sooners go undefeated in the Big 12 during the 2005–2006 season, in which they went on to win the Big 12 Championship. In 2007 Ashley became a starter on the
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahom ...
Women’s Basketball team along with sister Courtney. That year she received
Big 12
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference headquartered in Irving, Texas, USA. It consists of ten full-member universities. It is a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for all sports. Its fo ...
Honorable Mention as well as making the All-Big 12 Academic First Team. She was a communications major and graduated in Spring 2009.
Oklahoma statistics
Source
WNBA
Paris was drafted in the
WNBA Draft with the 22nd overall pick in the second round, 14 spots after her twin sister
Courtney Paris
Courtney Paris (born September 21, 1987) is an American basketball coach and former player. She is currently an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. She last played as a center for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketb ...
. Paris was drafted by the
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks (LA Sparks) are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Sparks compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The team was foun ...
. The Sparks announced that they decided to waive Paris on June 4, one day before the 11-man roster deadline on June 5.
Although she was waived by the Sparks, she did manage to play in a preseason game. She wore the number 54 at the
forward
Forward is a relative direction, the opposite of backward.
Forward may also refer to:
People
* Forward (surname)
Sports
* Forward (association football)
* Forward (basketball), including:
** Point forward
** Power forward (basketball)
** Sm ...
position. She scored 1 point which came at the free throw line. She played eight minutes for the Sparks in her only WNBA "game".
In March 2010 she was signed to a training camp contract by the
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference (WNBA), Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded before the league ...
, and in March 2011 to a similar contract by the
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded for the 2008 WNBA season. The team is owned by real ...
. On March 2, 2015 Paris signed a training camp contract by the
San Antonio Stars.
San Antonio Stars signed Toni Young, Ashley Paris and Brittany Chambers
Personal life
She is the twin sister of fellow WNBA player Courtney Paris
Courtney Paris (born September 21, 1987) is an American basketball coach and former player. She is currently an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. She last played as a center for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketb ...
. The twins are the daughters of Lynne Gray and former NFL player William "Bubba" Paris. She also has four brothers named Wayne, David, Austin, and Brandon and two half-brothers (Bubba's sons) William III and Christian.
References
External links
USA Basketball Bio: Ashley Paris
Scout.com: All articles relevant to Ashley Paris
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paris, Ashley
1987 births
Living people
American expatriate basketball people in China
American women's basketball players
Basketball players from San Jose, California
Los Angeles Sparks draft picks
McDonald's High School All-Americans
Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball players
Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball)
People from Piedmont, California
Power forwards (basketball)
Shandong Six Stars players
American twins
Twin sportspeople
Modesto Christian School alumni