Parker is a tremendous player, but there will be more

Candace Parker announced Thursday she would not return for her final year at Tennessee. Bill Frakes/SI

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For those who anticipated her departure for million-dollar professional deals in Europe or a smaller WNBA contract, Candace Parker didn't exactly shock the world when she announced Thursday that she wouldn't return to Tennessee next season.

Parker, who redshirted her freshman season and has one year of eligibility remaining, simply made her early exit official. And why not? She'll have her degree and she's accomplished more on the court than most players who have exhausted their eligibility.

To wit, here are a few of her achievements:

• As a McDonald's All-American, Parker became the first female to win the slam-dunk contest, beating out five boys.

• She was the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game.

• She was the first to dunk twice in a game.

• Parker became one of the first players listed as a guard, forward and center.

• She led the Lady Vols to a national championship and grabbed a pair player of the year awards -- she has a chance to add more hardware in the next few weeks.

• Parker helped the U.S. National team to an Olympic berth during the offseason.

How can you not appreciate the impact she's made? The college game is far better for having her. It won't, however, be the end of the world without her. Life will go on for the Lady Vols and everyone else.

It always has.

Before Parker, there was Chamique Holdsclaw, a two-time Naismith winner who led Tennessee to three national titles. There was the versatile Tamika Catchings, a four-time Kodak All-American who is now the best defender in the WNBA. And who could forget Diana Taurasi, one of the most personable players to come through the college ranks, who won three consecutive championships at Connecticut.

The next big one waiting in the wings is UConn's Maya Moore, who is leading the Huskies in scoring as a freshman.

For the Lady Vols, sure, Parker's absence may slow Tennessee in the immediate future -- she has led the team in points, rebounds and blocks every season. And when she goes, she won't be alone. Seniors Nicky Anosike and three-time All-SEC selection Alexis Hornbuckle have started nearly every game during their careers at Tennessee. Junior college transfers Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste have stepped in as key contributors, too.

But the Lady Vols have a bright future: Their five-person recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to HoopGurlz.com. While you certainly can't expect all five to make an immediate impact, you've got to think at least one or two will.

This season, freshman Angie Bjorklund has started every game and has provided the Lady Vols a strong long-range threat. She's second in the SEC in three-point shooting, hitting 41 percent and at 6-foot-4 Vicki Baugh has the size to become a force in the paint.

It won't be a surprise if it takes some time for those young players to adjust to life without their star. It usually does. But the Lady Vols won six championships before Parker arrived and they'll win more once she's gone.

With players coming and going every year, women's hoops is all about change. Some of the new players become superstars, many become solid contributors. Anyone who keeps tabs on recruiting knows the pipeline is full of future standouts.

Watching Parker has been a joy, and I'm anxious to see what she does in the future. But I'll still be glued to college basketball next season. I don't want to miss out on watching the next Candace Parker.