Famed Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt’s passing Tuesday morning made a huge impact on the world of sports, with many of those who she had coached and interacted with weighing in with tributes. Tuesday night’s WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Dallas Wings on ESPN2 saw another memorable tribute, with L.A. star Candace Parker (who played for Summitt at Tennessee) wearing orange shoes with “Rebound” (a frequent instruction from Summitt) written on them and posting a game-high 31 points and a season-high 13 rebounds to help the Sparks come back from a 22-point deficit and win 89-84. ESPN reporter Holly Rowe (who has long covered men’s and women’s college basketball as well) asked Parker about Summitt after the game, and it led to an emotional response:
“I see Coach’s glare, and I hear her voice screaming at me to rebound, especially on the offensive end, I see her little head going back and forth and telling me to rebound, so it’s very ironic that I had my season-high in rebounds tonight,” Parker said.
Rowe then responds with “I know Coach would be very proud of you tonight, Candace,” and the two embrace. It’s a fitting moment, and a fitting remembrance of Summitt and all she meant to women’s basketball.
