Courtney Paris
A college basketball phenomenon who guaranteed her scholarship's value and set an unthinkable record with 112 straight double-doubles.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American basketball player and coach·Birthday: September 21·Millennials
Biography
Courtney Paris didn't just play college basketball; she rewrote its record books with a physical dominance rarely seen. At Oklahoma, she was a nightly guarantee of a double-double, a streak that reached an almost mythical 112 consecutive games. Her commitment was so profound that she publicly vowed to repay her scholarship if the Sooners didn't win a national championship, a statement that captured her intense loyalty and competitive fire. While her WNBA career as a player was defined by grit and rebounding prowess, her true second act emerged in coaching. Transitioning to the sidelines, she now imparts the lessons of her unique career as an assistant coach, shaping the next generation of post players with a blend of technical knowledge and hard-won experience.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Courtney was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Courtney Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Courtney's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the NCAA record with 112 consecutive double-doubles.
- Named a First-Team All-American four times at the University of Oklahoma.
- Led the nation in rebounding for three consecutive seasons (2007, 2008, 2009).
- Won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2018.
Did You Know?
She vowed to repay her OU scholarship if the team didn't win a national title; though they fell short, she donated $125,000 to the university's scholarship fund.
She is the daughter of former NFL lineman Bubba Paris.
She became an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings shortly after retiring as a player.
“I promised to give back my scholarship if we didn't win a championship.”
