Candace Parker top WNBA draft pick

PALM HARBOR, Fla., April 9 (UPI) -- Tennessee forward Candace Parker was the first player chosen Wednesday in the 2008 WNBA Draft.

The 6-foot-4-inch forward was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks several hours after she helped the Lady Volunteers beat Stanford 64-48 in college basketball's women's title game in Tampa, Fla.

She leaves the Lady Volunteers with a year of eligibility remaining and is the first woman player ever to be chosen for the pros with a year of college eligibility remaining.

She will earn her degree on time this spring.

"The last 15 hours have been the most amazing in my life (but) I was ready and it was time to move on."

Parker's brother, Anthony, plays for Toronto and she is engaged to Sacramento forward Shelden Williams.

Senior center Sylvia Fowles of LSU, who led the Lady Tigers to four consecutive Final Four appearances, was the second overall pick by the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx chose Stanford guard Candice Wiggins third overall.