Candace Parker to UCLA: ``They should hire Nikki Caldwell''

I ran into Tennessee superstar Candace Parker this morning as she did a little meet and greet with Sparks coach Michael Cooper and Lisa Leslie. Parker was tired from playing in the national championship game on Tuesday, hitting the WNBA draft on Wednesday, then flying to LA to do a photo shoot for the Sparks and attend the Wooden Award ceremony tonight, but she perked up the second I mentioned Nikki Caldwell's name.

``She's been a great coach for me at Tennessee,'' Parker said. ``She's a great recruiter, a great X's and O's person, she should get the job.''

Caldwell is considered a leading candidate for the job, but UCLA is expected to talk with several other coaches before making a hire.