TAMPA, FLA. (April 7, 2008) - University of Tennessee All-America Forward Candace Parker has been named winner of the 2008 Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. Parker was presented with the Naismith Women's College Player of the Year trophy by Atlanta Tipoff Club Board of Directors Member Barry Goheen and AT&T Senior Vice President, Architecture and Planning Kris Rinne at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association convention in Tampa, Fla.

The 6-4 junior, a Naismith finalist last season, edged out Sylvia Fowles (LSU), Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) and Candice Wiggins (Stanford), and became just the fifth women's player ever to win both the high school and college Naismith Trophies as player of the year (Tamika Catchings, Chamique Holdsclaw, Lisa Leslie and Diana Taurasi). Tennessee now joins USC and Connecticut as having won the most Women's Naismith trophies with four.

Additionally, Parker holds the distinction of being one of only two female athletes ever to win the Naismith National High School trophy twice, having claimed it in both 2003 and 2004 when she played at Naperville (Ill.) Central High School. Paris won the award in 2005 at Piedmont (Calif.) High School.

Parker led the Lady Vols in scoring (20.6 points) and rebounds (8.8) this season. She is a two-time Kodak All-American, a three-time first-team All-SEC unanimous selection, the 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year and 2007 SEC Player of the Year.

Parker was selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's board of selectors - a collection of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country - and the fans. Through AT&T's wireless text messaging, fans accounted for an unprecedented 25% of the board of selectors' overall vote for the fourth straight year. The results were certified by the accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP

"We are proud to welcome a former winner back into the Naismith family, especially someone who has achieved excellence on a consistent basis," said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. "Candace has enjoyed a tremendous season and career at Tennessee and the college game will miss her dearly."

"Candace Parker has had an outstanding year and is an extremely worthy recipient of the Naismith Trophy," said Rinne. "AT&T is proud to empower the fans to help anoint Candace as the 2008 Naismith Trophy Women's Player of the Year. No other award in college sports gives fans a greater voice in selecting the winner."

"The Naismith Award has been long considered as one of the top honors for both high school and collegiate athletes," said Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee head coach. "Candace Parker is one of those rare talents who has been able to win the award on both levels. The Lady Vol basketball family is extremely proud of her accomplishments."

Last year's recipient was Lindsey Harding from Duke, who claimed the school's first Women's Naismith Trophy. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com <http://www.naismithawards.com/> .

ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
The Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club has presented the Naismith Trophy since UCLA's Lew Alcindor first won the award in 1969. Old Dominion's Anne Donovan claimed the first Women's Naismith Trophy in 1983.

The Naismith Awards program has become an emblem of excellence for the game, recognizing the Men's and Women's College Player of the Year, Men's and Women's Coach of the Year, as well as awards for outstanding achievement in high school basketball, officiating, and overall contribution to the game.

ABOUT AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com .
© 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

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Contacts:
Eric Oberman
Atlanta Tipoff Club
(404) 586-8506
eoberman@macoc.com
Lauren Butler
AT&T
(404) 405-5623
lb0426@att.com