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Candace Parker, a 6-4 University of Tennessee sophomore, was not expected to be a significant contributor on the U.S. women's team playing in the world championship in Brazil.
With a veteran roster that included Lisa Leslie, Yolanda Griffith and Sheryl Swoopes, the experience of practicing alongside those players would help Parker develop and possibly become the future of the women's senior program. The future is now.
Leslie and Griffith, who have anchored the post for the U.S. women's team for the last six years, withdrew before training camp started last month. Swoopes has been hampered by back spasms, so Parker, 20, has had to do more -- and she has responded.
"She is coming off the bench, which I think took some getting used to," U.S. coach Anne Donovan says. "But it's allowing her to watch what is going on in the post and understand when she steps on the floor how to play the game.
"Offensively she has been tough in every game, and defensively she is getting better every game."
The U.S. team is undefeated headed into today's medal-round quarterfinal against Lithuania (6:45p.m. ET, NBA TV).
Parker has come a long way in a short time. She looked lost in her first game with the team, an exhibition contest against international power Australia on Sept. 7. She was 0-for-6 from the field in 15 minutes of frustrated play.
But she has settled down in Brazil.
*She is the second-leading scorer on the team (12.3 points).
*She leads the team with 10 blocked shots, one shy of Katrina McClain's U.S. record of 11 in the women's world championship.
*Parker is shooting 58.1% (25-for-43) from the field, third behind Australia's Lauren Jackson and Brazil's Alessandra Santos de Oliveira.
"One of the main players who has really helped me out is Tina Thompson," says Parker, who pointed out she has also benefited from practicing against the older players and guidance from the coaching staff. "(Thompson) has been in my ear, just encouraging me, telling me the little tricks of the trade.
"In college, I'm shooting a jump shot off of one or two dribbles. A lot of turnaround jump shots in the post. In international play, you're allowed to bang a little bit, allowed to body a little bit. If you settle for jump shots, you're going to get taken out of your game. It's just a lot more physical."
Without Leslie and Griffith, Parker has had to play center and power forward.
"She is the first sub off the bench. She is the most effective post with size that we have," says Donovan, in a testament to Parker's talent, considering the U.S. roster features 6-5 Michelle Snow, the WNBA's most improved player in 2003. "When she comes in, teams change. They have to change how they defend us; they have to be much more conscious of the paint.
"Both DeLisha (Milton-Jones) and Tina stretch defenses out, but Parker is the one who really gets it going inside."
The women's program is known for grooming future stars -- from McClain and Teresa Edwards to Leslie, Swoopes and Dawn Staley to Tamika Catchings, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird to Parker.
"She is doing a great job for us now," Catchings says. "With no more Lisa, Dawn and Sheryl, it's now the next generation. She is getting a lot more comfortable and confident. The veteran post players have really been receptive to her. Tina, DeLisha and everybody has tried to help her get more confidence."
While the world championship has become somewhat of an international coming out party for Parker, USA Basketball is hoping the best is yet to come. ... maybe in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
"I hope so," Parker says.
*Schedule, 13C
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