Tennessee’s Parker will make jump to the WNBA

Candace Parker, Tennessee’s All-American forward, will skip her final season at Tennessee for the chance to play professionally.

“This was the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make, but my family and I think this is the best choice for me,” the 6-foot-4 Parker said.

Parker, averaging 20.6 points and 8.8 rebounds, is regarded as the top pick in April’s WNBA draft. The Sparks have the rights to the No. 1 pick.

“Candace Parker is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Magic Johnson -- that’s how good she is,” Sparks Coach Michael Cooper said.

PRO FOOTBALL

Moss is not tagged as franchise player

The New England Patriots did not designate Randy Moss as a franchise player, but there was no word from the team on whether they had reached a contract agreement with the wide receiver or are allowing him to become a free agent.

The Carolina Panthers released starting running back DeShaun Foster, a move that clears salary-cap space and opens the door for DeAngelo Williams to become the team’s featured back.

Foster, Carolina’s second-round pick in 2002 from UCLA, never rushed for more than 897 yards in six seasons plagued by fumbles and injuries.

The Patriots hired former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Dom Capers as special assistant for the secondary. . . . The Seattle Seahawks designated Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant as their franchise player for 2008.

Running back Jamal Lewis signed a three-year contract to remain with the Cleveland Browns. Financial terms of Lewis’ deal weren’t disclosed. . . . The Dallas Cowboys designated Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin their franchise player.

The NFL players’ union filed a grievance against the league, charging the owners colluded by reducing the debt ceiling for every team by 20%. The union said the reduction coincides with what in 2010 could be a year without a salary cap.

GOLF

Wie shoots 69, trails by five

Michelle Wie got off to a promising start in her first round of the year, shooting a three-under-par 69 in the Fields Open at Kapolei, Hawaii, to finish five strokes behind first-round leader Jeong Jang. Showing no signs of the wrist injuries that plagued her last year, Wie broke 70 for the first time since the Evian Ladies Masters in July 2006.

Jang, the 2005 British Open champion, opened with an eight-under 64, two better than Paula Creamer.

John Merrick holed a 50-foot putt on his final hole for a six-under 64 and a one-stroke lead in the Mayakoba Golf Classic, while course designer Greg Norman opened with a 70 at El Camaleon at Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

TENNIS

Blake advances by beating Levine

James Blake overcame first-serve problems to beat Jesse Levine, 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the SAP Open at San Jose. Mardy Fish also advanced, beating Denis Gremelmayr, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3. Andy Roddick defeated Kei Nishikori, 6-2, 6-4.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal became the fourth seeded player to lose in the second round of the ABN Amro at Rotterdam, Netherlands. Nadal lost to Andreas Seppi, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova reached the Qatar Open quarterfinals in Doha with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn. Sixth-seeded Venus Williams lost to Dominika Cibulkova, 6-3, 6-3.

MISCELLANY

Gruber victorious in World Cup super-G

Christoph Gruber charged to victory over Hannes Reichelt in a World Cup super-G at Whistler, Canada. Ales Gorza was third on a course that will be used at the Vancouver Games in 2010.

China’s He Chong won the men’s three-meter final in the FINA Diving World Cup, while the United States earned an Olympic berth in the women’s synchronized 10-meter event. Haley Ishimatsu of Seal Beach and Mary Beth Dunnichay of Elwood, Ind., finished eighth to qualify the United States for an Olympic berth.

Basketball’s Kevin Johnson, boxing’s Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, and hockey’s Luc Robitaille will be among the honorees at the Paralysis Project of America’s 17th annual Sports Legends Awards dinner Saturday night at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 397-9267.