Monarchs make dream come true by selecting Paris with 7th pick

By Courtney Paris, Special to SI.com

Former Oklahoma star Courtney Paris was drafted by the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs on Thursday. AP

When I was 6, I saw a commercial of Lisa Leslie dunking a basketball and learned one of the most important lessons of my life -- that women can do anything.

At 10, I went to my first WNBA game at ARCO Arena in Sacramento to watch my hometown Monarchs take on Lynette Woodard and the Cleveland Rockers. As I sat there, I envisioned myself playing for Sacramento one day.

On Thursday I realized my dream when WNBA President Donna Orender announced:

"With the seventh pick of the 2009 WNBA Draft, the Sacramento Monarchs select, from the University of Oklahoma, Courtney Paris."

I'll be honest, I'd played it over in my head a million times in the past 10 years, "and the first pick of the 2009 WNBA Draft ... Courtney Paris!"

Yet as my senior year progressed, I became aware that the top-pick scenario would not happen. I knew my fitness level, ability to defend on the perimeter and offensive skills facing the rim were being questioned. It was no surprise to me when Louisville's Angel McCoughtry went No. 1 to the Atlanta Dream.

What I loved was talking to my new coach, Jenny Boucek, for the first time and hearing her say, "I'm surprised you were still here. But more importantly, whatever their doubts were just became our blessing."

I'll have the opportunity to play professionally just a short drive from my hometown, where my friends and family will have many chances to see the result of their support and my labor. I've got a lot of work to do. But right now, in this moment, I am so proud.

This is my dream.