Parker heads overseas

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The most-accomplished women's basketball player in University of Evansville history, Parker couldn't stand the thought of not playing the game again after the Aces' season ended in the second round of the WNIT last season.

So, sight unseen, Parker will soon travel to Finland to play professionally for the Vantaa Pussihukat, a basketball club with both men's and women's teams in the Finnish Basketball Association. Her adventure begins Sept. 1.

"Vantaa is the city with a population of almost 200,000," said Parker. "Loosely translated, the first part of the club name is basket or net and the second part an extinct Tasmanian wolf. So I'm going to play for the basket wolves.

"Beyond that, though, I don't know a whole lot. I do know it's not going to be like school, though. I'm going to be playing basketball for money. I signed the contract Monday because I'm willing to go and play and see where it takes me."

Parker said her signing of the contract culminated a months-long process that started with her coach, former UE coach Tricia Cullop (now at Toledo), and agent Tom Cross, who is located in New England, and a highlight DVD sent to the club in Vantaa, Finland.

It continued with phone conversations with Vantaa's general manager, American John Simon, and e-mails in broken English with Vantaa's coach.