Sparks' Parker to Miss Sky's May 8 Pre-Season Game
May 6, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
CHICAGO, May 6, 2008 - The WNBA Chicago Sky learned yesterday evening that Los Angeles Sparks rookie Candace Parker and former Tennessee teammate Shannon Bobbitt will not be travelling with the Sparks to Chicago for the May 8 pre-season game at Sears Centre Arena. They will be attending graduation ceremonies at University of Tennessee, which begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9. There were no flights from Chicago to Knoxville after the game on Thursday night that would get them there in time for their graduation.
"We are obviously disappointed, as I'm sure our fans are, but we are very supportive of the league's rookies attending their graduations," said Sky CEO Margaret Stender. "It's still going to be a great game, with a matchup between one of the greatest centers in the history of the WNBA, 6'5" Lisa Leslie, and the heir-apparent, 6"6" Sylvia Fowles. With LSU grad and 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year Temeka Johnson returning to the Sparks' line-up after missing last season, we'll have a real LSU reunion happening on the court. And, of course, we look forward to seeing Candace when we play the Sparks in the regular season, at UIC Pavilion on June 3."
Johnson played point guard for the Lady Tigers with Fowles and Sky rookie Quianna Chaney in 2005, when the team made its first of four straight Final Four appearances. She missed the 2007 WNBA season because of an injury.
The Sky is one of seven independently-owned teams in the WNBA, the world's longest-running women's professional sports league. The Sky tips-off its 2008 season on May 17 against the Seattle Storm and plays the season home opener on May 22 against the Sacramento Monarchs at 7:00pm at the UIC Pavilion. The Sky celebrated its inaugural season in 2006, and finished a successful sophomore season with a 14-20 record and guard Armintie Price named WNBA Rookie of the Year. The team chose 6'6" LSU star Sylvia Fowles with the number two pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. For more information and to purchase 2008 season tickets, visit www.chicagosky.net.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 6, 2008
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- Sacramento Monarchs Weekly- 5.6 - Sacramento Monarchs
- Minnesota Lynx Unveil "10 Days of May-hem" - Minnesota Lynx
- Sparks' Parker to Miss Sky's May 8 Pre-Season Game - Chicago Sky
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