Candace Parker

Candace Parker is an American professional basketball player, born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Parker began her professional career with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008, where she won multiple titles, including two WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and the WNBA Championship in 2016.

Parker is known for her incredible speed, strength, scoring ability, and versatility. She has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as the first player in WNBA history to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

Off the court, Parker is also recognized for her philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

University of Tennessee

• College Career: Parker played collegiate basketball at the University of Tennessee, leading the Lady Vols to two consecutive NCAA championships in 2007 and 2008.

Los Angeles Sparks

• Early Success: Parker was the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. She won the WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in her first season, becoming the first player in league history to do so.

Chicago Sky

• Homecoming: In 2021, Parker signed with the Chicago Sky, her hometown team. She helped lead the Sky to their first-ever WNBA championship in the same year. Her performances earned her the Finals MVP award.

USA Women's Basketball Team

• Debut: Made her debut for the USA Women's Basketball Team in 2006.

Achievements:

• Olympic Gold Medals: Winner in 2008 and 2012.
• FIBA World Championship: Winner in 2010.
• Parker has been an integral part of the USA Women's Basketball Team, contributing significantly to its success on the international stage.

• Position: Primarily a forward, but also excels as a center.
• Skills: Known for her incredible speed, strength, scoring ability, and versatility. Parker is celebrated for her ability to play both ends of the court, her rebounding skills, and her on-court leadership.

• Family: Parker has one daughter. She was previously married to former NBA player Shelden Williams.
• Philanthropy: Parker is involved in various charitable activities and has donated significant sums to educational initiatives, children's health causes, and disaster relief efforts.

• Candace Parker is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her work ethic, determination, and longevity in professional basketball. Her impact on the sport and her status as an icon extend beyond the court, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Two-time WNBA MVP:

• 2008, 2013

WNBA Finals MVP:

• 2021

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist:

• 2008, 2012

WNBA All-Star:

• Multiple appearances

Books

• Cohen, S. (2019) Candace Parker: Amazing Athletes. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group.

Websites

• WNBA: Information about Candace Parker’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.wnba.com
• Los Angeles Sparks: Details about Parker’s career at the Sparks. Available at: https://sparks.wnba.com
• Chicago Sky: Official site with updates on Parker’s performance and records at the Sky. Available at: https://sky.wnba.com

Articles

• ESPN: Candace Parker: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/389/candace-parker
• The Guardian: Candace Parker’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/candace-parker

Interviews and Documentaries

• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Candace Parker, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.espn.com