Candace Parker

Candace Parker
Parker in 2017
Personal information
Born (1986-04-19) April 19, 1986
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High schoolNaperville Central
(Naperville, Illinois)
CollegeTennessee (2004–2008)
WNBA draft2008: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Drafted byLos Angeles Sparks
Playing career2008–2023
PositionPower forward
Number3
Career history
2008–2020Los Angeles Sparks
2010–2015UMMC Ekaterinburg
2016Guangdong Dolphins
2017Fenerbahçe
2017–2018Xinjiang Tianshan Deers
2021–2022Chicago Sky
2023Las Vegas Aces
Career highlights
  • 3× WNBA champion (2016, 2021, 2023)
  • WNBA Finals MVP (2016)
  • 2× WNBA MVP (2008, 2013)
  • 7× WNBA All-Star (2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
  • WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
  • 7× All-WNBA First Team (2008, 2012–2014, 2017, 2020, 2022)
  • 3× All-WNBA Second Team (2009, 2015, 2018)
  • 2× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2009, 2012)
  • WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008)
  • WNBA All-Rookie Team (2008)
  • WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
  • WNBA assists leader (2015)
  • 3× WNBA rebounding leader (2008, 2009, 2020)
  • 2× WNBA blocks leader (2009, 2012)
  • 3× WNBA peak performer (2008, 2009, 2020)
  • WNBA 20th Anniversary Team (2016)
  • WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021)
  • No. 3 retired by Los Angeles Sparks
  • No. 3 retired by Chicago Sky
  • 5× Russian National League champion (2011–2015)
  • 4× Russian Cup winner (2011–2014)
  • EuroLeague champion (2013)
  • 2× NCAA champion (2007, 2008)
  • 2× NCAA Tournament MOP (2007, 2008)
  • 2× AP Female Athlete of the Year (2008, 2021)
  • AP Player of the Year (2008)
  • 2× USBWA Player of the Year (2007, 2008)
  • Naismith College Player of the Year (2008)
  • Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year (2008)
  • 2× John R. Wooden Award (2007, 2008)
  • Wade Trophy (2007)
  • 2× Honda Sports Award for basketball (2007, 2008)
  • Honda-Broderick Cup (2008)
  • 3x All-American – Kodak/State Farm Coaches', USBWA (2006–2008)
  • 2x First-team All-American – AP (2007, 2008)
  • Second-team All-American – AP (2006)
  • SEC Female Athlete of the Year (2008)
  • SEC Player of the Year (2007)
  • 2x SEC Tournament MVP (2006, 2008)
  • 3x First-team All-SEC (2006–2008)
  • SEC Freshman of the Year (2006)
  • SEC All-Freshman Team (2006)
  • 2x Gatorade National Player of the Year (2003, 2004)
  • Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2003, 2004)
  • Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year (2004)
  • McDonald's All-American (2004)
  • Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (2004)
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference 
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
2008 Beijing Team
2012 London Team
FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship
2004 Puerto Rico Team

Candace Nicole Parker (born April 19, 1986), nicknamed "Ace",[1] is an American former professional basketball player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time,[2][3] she was selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.[4] She spent 13 seasons on the Sparks, two seasons with the Chicago Sky, and one season with the Las Vegas Aces, winning a championship with each team.

A versatile player, Parker mainly played the forward and center positions. In high school, Parker won the 2003 and 2004 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year awards, becoming just the second junior and the only woman to receive a Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year award twice. As a college player for Tennessee, she led the team to two consecutive national championships (2007, 2008), was named the Final Four's most outstanding player in both occasions and was a two-time consensus national player of the year. As a redshirt freshman, she became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game and the first woman to dunk twice in a college game.[5] After being selected in the WNBA Draft, Parker signed long-term endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade.[6][7]

In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to win their first WNBA Finals title since 2002 and won the WNBA Finals MVP Award. In 2021, she helped the Sky win their first title. Parker won two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards (2008, 2013), a WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award (2013), two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012), and the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award (2008). She was selected to six All-WNBA teams and five All-Star teams, and was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and the MVP awards in the same season.[8] Parker became the second player to dunk in a WNBA game on June 22, 2008.[9][10]

Since 2018, Parker has been an analyst and commentator for TNT Sports, providing coverage for NBA games on TNT and NBA TV and for the NCAA men's basketball tournament.[11]

Following her retirement in spring of 2024, Parker was named president of Adidas women's basketball.[12][13]

  1. ^ Creative, Paradowski. "Adidas". Paradowski Creative. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ranking the 25 greatest players in WNBA history". ESPN.com. September 21, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Singh, Abhishek (January 31, 2022). "Top 10 Greatest WNBA Players of all Time". Chase Your Sport. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  4. ^ "2008 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "Offseason 2008-09: Overseas Roster". Wnba.com. January 8, 2009.
  6. ^ Rovell, Darren (April 22, 2008). "Parker Signs With Adidas and Gatorade". CNBC. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008.
  7. ^ "Candace Parker Signs Endorsements With Gatorade, Adidas". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ROY was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Parker has opportunity to declare for '07 WNBA draft". Sports Illustrated. March 22, 2007. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
  10. ^ Gutierrez, Melody (April 2, 2007). "College stars boost WNBA draft suspense". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  11. ^ "Candace Parker, Turner Sports reach multiyear extension". NBA.com. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  12. ^ Hess, AJ (May 8, 2024). "Retiring WNBA legend Candace Parker is the new president of Adidas women's basketball (exclusive)". Fast Company. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  13. ^ Richard, Brandon (May 8, 2024). "WNBA legend Candace Parker earned her stripes in long partnership with Adidas". Andscape. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
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