Courtney Paris

Courtney Paris (born September 21, 1987) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is best known for her accomplishments during her college career at the University of Oklahoma, where she holds career averages of 21.4 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. She holds the NCAA record for most consecutive double-doubles at 112. During her senior season in 2009, Paris received considerable media attention when she announced that she would pay back her tuition to the University of Oklahoma if the Sooners did not win the 2009 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament. She would lead Oklahoma to the Final Four before falling short to eventual national runner-up Louisville.

Paris was selected seventh overall by the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs in the 2009 WNBA draft. Over 10 seasons in the league, she played for the Monarchs, Atlanta Dream, Tulsa Shock (later the Dallas Wings), and Seattle Storm.

Early life Paris was born in San Jose, California.

Paris' twin sister Ashley Paris is also a basketball player. In addition to being a twin, Paris has four brothers: Wayne, David, Austin and Brandon. She has two half-brothers (Bubba's sons) William III and Christian. Her parents are Lynne Gray and former NFL player William "Bubba" Paris.

Paris transferred from Modesto Christian High School to Piedmont High School in Piedmont, California, at the start of the 2002–2003 year. Paris was named a WBCA All-American. She participated in the 2005 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored three points. On February 8, 2009, Paris broke the record for most career NCAA Division I rebounds, formerly held by Wanda Ford of Drake. In the Sooners' victory in the semifinals of the Oklahoma City Regional in the 2009 NCAA Tournament against Pitt on March 29, she became the first player in U.S. college basketball history—regardless of sex, governing body, or division—with 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds in her career.

Paris also became the first freshman named to the Associated Press All-American team in 2006, and again made the team in 2007. In April 2007, Paris was named the 2007 Associated Press Women's basketball player of the year. She is the first sophomore ever to win the AP Player of the year award. She won All-American honors again her junior year, and as a senior she became the first four-time first-team All-American in women's basketball history. She also won the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, recognizing her as the nation's top senior women's basketball player.

At Oklahoma, Paris majored in journalism.

Paris had announced that if Oklahoma did not win the NCAA championship in 2009, her final year, she would repay her scholarship — worth about $64,000 in out-of-state tuition — to the university. She said that without a championship, "I don’t feel like I’ve earned it.”

On Sunday April 5, 2009, Oklahoma lost to the Louisville Cardinals 61–59. In a post-game interview with ESPN, Paris was asked if she would make do on her promise to repay her $64,000 basketball scholarship. She replied that she would but that it would take her some time. A week later, the university said that she did not have to repay her scholarship.

Professional career Paris was selected by the Sacramento Monarchs at No. 7 pick in the 2009 WNBA draft and her sister was drafted to the Los Angeles Sparks.

On December 14, 2009, the WNBA held a dispersal draft for the Monarchs' players. Paris was taken with the fourth pick by the Chicago Sky. On May 12, 2010, Paris was waived by the Sky.

On February 8, 2011, she signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Sparks and on June 2, she was waived.

Paris signed with the Tulsa Shock in 2012. She led the WNBA in rebounding averaging 10.2 per game in 2014 and 9.3 per game in 2015.

On February 2, 2018, Paris signed a multi-year contract with the Seattle Storm.

National team career Paris was a member of the USA Women's U18 team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The event was held in August 2004, when the USA team defeated Puerto Rico to win the championship. Paris was the second leading scorer for the team, averaging 15.8 points per game.

In January 2023, Paris joined the coaching staff of the Dallas Wings in the WNBA, serving as an assistant coach under head coach Latricia Trammell.

In December 2024, Paris joined the coaching staff of the Chicago Sky, serving as an assistant coach under head coach Tyler Marsh. She left the team after the 2025 season.

Career statistics

WNBA Regular season

Playoffs

College Source + Legend GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game FG% Field goal percentage 3P% 3-point field goal percentage FT% Free throw percentage RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game TO Turnovers per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high * Led Division I