Paris, Griffin garner Big 12 awards

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- The Big 12 has named Oklahoma basketball players Blake Griffin and Ashley Paris as the conference's 2008-09 Sportspersons of the Year.

The award, started with the 2000-01 academic year, recognizes student-athletes who display extraordinary levels of sportsmanship and-or community service. The winners are selected by a media panel and will be nominated for the NCAA's sportsmanship award.

Paris, a 6-foot-3 senior from Piedmont, Calif., averaged 12.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as the Sooners went 32-5 and lost in the national semifinals to Louisville. She actively participated in community service projects, including visits to hospitals and shelters.

Griffin, a 6-foot-10 sophomore from Oklahoma City, was the consensus national player of the year as Oklahoma went 30-6 and reached a regional final in the NCAA tournament.

He routinely declined to retaliate after hard fouls, including one in which an opposing player flipped him over.

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