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Issue Date: March 9, 2008
A slam-dunk for college hoops
Top March Madness stars go one-on-one with USA WEEKEND.
By Dennis McCafferty
Women's Final Four
April 6 & 8 Tampa on ESPN
Men's Final Four
April 5 & 7 San Antonio on CBS
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During March Madness, college hoops stars come in all styles. There's the dominating player who commands all the attention, making ESPN highlight-worthy plays. Then there's the lower-key leader who quietly does whatever it takes to win, producing points in the clutch, getting that game-turning steal and making the pass that seals a W.
For this year's annual USA WEEKEND NCAA tournament feature, our top male and female players represent the best of both worlds. The University of Tennessee's Candace Parker, 21, has been a national figure since high school, when she became the first woman ever to win the McDonald's All-American game dunk contest. Last year, she led the Lady Vols to their first national championship since 1998, earning Player of the Year honors. The University of Kansas' Mario Chalmers, also 21, can score and keep opponents from scoring; he's considered among the nation's best when it comes to defense. A talented passer as well, he led Kansas to a spot as one of the Elite Eight in last year's tournament.
With conference tournaments kicking into high gear this week, we recently got together with Parker and Chalmers to get their thoughts on crazy traditions, YouTube clips and dream dunks.
Tennessee has some wild traditions. The men's head coach, Bruce Pearl, has even shown up at women's hoops games with his shirt off and body painted in Tennessee orange. What's that all about, Candace?
Parker: That's just coach Pearl. He brings a lot of color and personality to the game.
Chalmers: Yeah, you won't see our coach doing something like that. But we like going to our women's team basketball games and giving our support and seeing what they can do.
Parker: Good answer, Mario.
Both of you like to dunk on the big boys. Whom would you like to dunk on in the NBA?
Parker: My brother Anthony. He plays for the Toronto Raptors. I've never dunked on him. When we'd play together, he'd elbow me before he'd allow that to happen.
Chalmers: It would have to be LeBron James. I look up to him so much. Wanting to dunk on him is a sign of respect. But, then again, after hearing what Candace just said, I wouldn't mind dunking on her brother, too.
Between the two of you, there are more than 100 YouTube highlight films out there featuring your game. How wild is that?
Chalmers: It's insane. I called up a high school game of me vs. Jon Brockman, who's now with the University of Washington. I mean, the game wasn't that big of a deal!
Parker: It can be really sweet, though, when you see a fan has put together a bunch of your highlights and set it to nice music. You feel touched that they took the time to do something like that.
Candace, you're engaged to Shelden Williams of the Atlanta Hawks. I know you don't have a wedding date yet, but what about honeymoon plans?
Parker: No, that's his job.
Well, help him out, Mario.
Chalmers: I'd arrange for a cruise to the Bahamas. Cruises are always fun, and the Bahamas are just a great place to do nothing but chill.
Mario, you developed your game in Alaska, where you grew up. You'd think Alaska isn't a great place for hoops, but stars like Trajan Langdon of the L.A. Clippers and Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz also came out of there. What gives?
Chalmers: Basketball is huge in Alaska, and there are great players there. The reason why it doesn't get more attention is because college coaches don't want to go there to recruit. It's too far away, and it's too cold. But people find out about us.
Parker: I couldn't live there, in that weather. Why do you think I play in the South?
Good point -- and the region has served you well. The rap group Wu-Tang Clan wrote an entire song, Starter, about you, talking about your 4.0 GPA and ability to fly "like Skywalker" and "wolf it on ya father." What do you think of the song?
Parker: Frankly, I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. I gotta go on iTunes and download it.
Mario, if you could pick any rapper to record a song about you, who would it be?
Chalmers: Oh, man. That would be a tossup between Lil Wayne or Jay-Z. Either one would be sweet.
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Candace Parker Junior/University of Tennessee
Position: Forward/center/guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Distinction: Led Lady Vols to national championship in 2007;first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game and first to win the slam-dunk contest at the McDonald's All-American game
Academics: Sports management major; minors: psychology, business
Brush with fame: Named one of People magazine's "100 Most Beautiful" in 2007
Favorite pre-game food: Chicken teriyaki with mostaccioli
Must-have DVD right now: "Martin," Seasons 1-3
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Mario Chalmers Junior/University of Kansas
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-1
Distinction: 2007 co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year; led Big 12 in steals in his freshman and sophomore seasons; led Kansas to two consecutive Big 12 championships and tourney titles; led Kansas to one of the Elite Eight in last year's NCAA tournament
Academics: African and African-American studies major
Favorite pre-game food: Steak and potatoes
Person he most admires: Martin Luther King Jr.
What's on his iPod: Lil Wayne
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