Tulsa Shock making roster moves - Examiner.com

In a flurry of roster moves this week, Tulsa Shock head coach Gary Kloppenburg has been busy retooling his team. The Shock released Jene Morris following their 87-75 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, and resigned guard Amber Holt.

Holt started 33 of 59 games in which she appeared for the Shock in the past two seasons. In 2011, Holt averaged a career-high 25.6 minutes a game, averaging 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists

The team then announced Jennifer Lacy and Scholanda Dorrell will each miss 4-6 weeks with meniscus tears in their right knees. Both Lacy and Dorrell suffered the injuries during the Shock’s victory over the Mercury.

Now the Shock has signed former University of Oklahoma standout Courtney Paris. The Shock released 2012 third round pick Lynetta Kizer in order to make room for Paris on the 11 player roster.

“Courtney is an inside power player with a soft touch around the rim and ability to score in the paint,” Head Coach Gary Kloppenburg said. “She is an excellent rebounder at both ends of the floor and with hard work can develop into a solid inside presence for us.”

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Paris had a stellar career at the OU where she established 20 NCAA Division I records including career rebounds (2,034) and career double-doubles (128). She finished her college career averaging 19.9 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for the Sooners. Paris was a four-time Associated Press All-American, earned a record three consecutive Big 12 Player of the Year awards and was a four-time member of the Big 12 All-Defensive team.

“It’s nice to be able to play at home and be around such great fans,” Paris said. “I’ve had such a great personal experience in Oklahoma. I love to play basketball and it also means a lot to me that I can do it in this state.”

Paris was waived by the Atlanta Dream this season after four games. In 2011, she averaged 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 9.6 minutes a game for Atlanta.

“I’m hoping to be a good teammate both inside and outside the locker room,” Paris said. “I hope to bring rebounding and an inside presence to this team and come out and play hard every night.”