Candance Parker: Who Is She?
Candace Parker is the first female basketball player to dunk during an NCAA tournament, and is considered one of the greatest players ever.
She is also the first WNBA player with 6,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, 1,500 assists as well as the first women to be featured on the cover of the popular NBA 2K game.
She is the younger daughter of former NBA player Larry Parker.
Candace was a star player in high school, leading her team to three consecutive state championships.
She went on to play college basketball at the University of Tennessee, where she was named the National Player of the Year in 2008. Parker was selected first overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
In her first season, she became only the second player in league history to be named both the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player.
Parker has won two Olympic gold medals and is a three-time WNBA MVP. She has also been selected to eight All-Star teams and six All-WNBA teams.
Parker is one of the league’s most popular players, with her jersey being the fourth best-selling in the WNBA.
Parker is also a popular commentor on ESPN ‘s basketball broadcasts, often appearing on the panel of commentators for NBA games.
Candance Parker: Birth & Childhood
Candace Parker was born on April 19, 1986 in St. Louis, Missouri to Larry and Pamela Parker.
She has an older sister, Candice, who is also a professional basketball player.
Parker’s father played college basketball at the University of Iowa and was drafted by the NBA ‘s Washington Bullets in 1977.
He later played for several teams in the European professional leagues.
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Parker’s mother was a high school All-American in basketball and track.
Candance Parker: Highschool Basketball Performance & Stats
Parker began playing basketball at an early age.
She played on her first AAU team when she was just eight years old.
Parker continued to play AAU basketball throughout her high school years. She also played in the Nike All-American Camp each summer.
As a freshman at Naperville Central High School, Parker led her team to the state championship game.
The following year, she repeated as state champion.
As a junior, Parker again led her team to the state championship, this time winning the title.
As a senior, Parker was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and the USA Today High School Player of the Year. She was also a McDonald’s All-American.
Parker was widely considered to be the best high school player in the country.
Candance Parker: NCAA Career Performance & Stats
After high school, Parker attended the University of Tennessee.
She was a starter from her first game as a freshman. As a sophomore, Parker was named the SEC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American.
She helped lead the Lady Volunteers to the NCAA Championship game, where they lost to Baylor.
As a junior, Parker was again named the SEC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American.
She also won the John R. Wooden Award, given to the best player in college basketball.
Parker led Tennessee to another appearance in the NCAA Championship game, this time defeating Rutgers to win the title.
As a senior, Parker was once again named the SEC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American.
She was also named the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press, the USBWA, and ESPN.
Parker led Tennessee to a fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Championship game, where they lost to Stanford.
As an NCAA player, Parker was the first female player to dunk during a NCAA tournament.
Candance Parker: Her WNBA Career Performance & Stats
In the WNBA draft, she was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks.
In her rookie season, Parker averaged 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
She was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month four times and was also named the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Parker was also named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team.
In her second season, Parker averaged 19.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
She was once again named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team. Parker was also named the WNBA Most Valuable Player.
The following year, Parker averaged 20.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
She was named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team for the third straight season.
Parker was also named the WNBA Finals MVP as she led the Sparks to their first ever championship.
In 2009, Parker averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. She was named to the All-Star team for the fourth time in her career.
Parker was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in WNBA history to win the a regular season MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
In 2010, Parker averaged 19.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She was named to the All-Star team for the fifth time in her career.
The following year, Parker averaged 16.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. She was once again named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team.
In 2011, Parker had her best statistical season, averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
She was named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team for the fifth time in her career. Parker was also named the WNBA MVP for the second time.
The following year, Parker averaged 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
She was named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team for the sixth time in her career.
In 2013, Parker averaged 15.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
She was named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team for the seventh time in her career. Parker was also named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to win the award three times.
In 2014, Parker averaged 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. She was named to the All-Star team and the All-WNBA first team for the eighth time in her career.
In 2021 she led the Chicago Sky to their first WNBA championship.
Candace Parker’s career championship season with the Chicago Sky in 2021 was one for the ages.
She led the team to a record-setting campaign, averaging 19.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Her defensive prowess was also on display, racking up 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest.
Parker’s all-around game was a big reason why the Sky were able to win their first ever WNBA title.
In the postseason, Parker continued to shine.
She averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in the Sky’s run to the championship.
Parker has won many awards and honors during her career.
She is a three-time WNBA MVP, a two-time WNBA Finals MVP, a seven-time All-WNBA first team selection, an eight-time All-Star, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Parker is also one of only two players in WNBA history to win the regular season MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
In 2011, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Candance Parker: Her Shoe Line With Adidas
Candace Parker is one of the top female basketball players in the world, and she has her own line of signature shoes with Adidas
The Candace Parker X Adidas shoe line is designed for athletes who want to perform at their best.
The shoes are lightweight and comfortable, with a focus on giving players the support they need to run, jump, and cut on the court.
The line includes both low-top and high-top shoes, in a variety of colors and styles.
Candace Parker: Marriage to Husband Sheldon Williams & Divorce
Candace Parker is married to Shelden Williams. The couple a daughter together, Lailaa.
Candace Parker and Shelden Williams divorced in 2014 after seven years of marriage. The divorce was amicable and the couple remain on good terms.
They share custody of their daughter.
Candace Parker: Marriage To Wife Anna Petrakova
On December 2021, Parker announced on her Instagram that she had previously married Anna Patrakova and the two are expecting a child together.
Anna Patrakova, a Russian basketball player, is herself a basketball great. She is considered one of the best Russian basketball players ever.
In 2022, Parker shared that the couple have welcome a son into the world, Airr Larry Petrakov. The photo shoes the couple with Parker’s daughter from her previous marriage to Sheldon, Laila.
Candance Parker: Her Net Worth
Candace Parker’s net worth is estimated to be $8 million.
She has earned her fortune through her successful career in the WNBA and as a studio analyst for NBA TV.
Parker has also signed endorsement deals with companies like Adidas and Gatorade.
In addition to her basketball career, Candace has also pursued a modeling and acting career. She has appeared on the cover of several magazines, including Vogue and Elle.
Candace has also had roles on television shows such as Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock.
She also has her own line of t-shirts.
Candace Parker: Her Career As A Basketball Commentor
Candace Parker is one of the most well-known and respected basketball commentators out there. As a basketball player herself, she knows the game inside and out, and her insights have helped millions of fans enjoy the sport even more.
Parker began her career as a commentator for ESPN, where she quickly made a name for herself with her in-depth analysis and passion for the game.
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She then made the move to Turner Sports, where she has become one of the most recognizable faces on Inside the NBA, often appearing alongside Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.
Parker’s knowledge of the game and her ability to communicate it to fans have made her one of the most respected commentators in the busines
Candace Parker is also an analyst on ESPN’s NBA Countdown.
She joined ESPN in May 2019 as an analyst on NBA Countdown.
She also served as a game analyst during TNT’s live coverage of the WNBA.
In addition to her work with Turner Sports, Parker has also been a commentator for the Olympics on NBC and a studio analyst for the NBA on ABC.
Candace Parker: Height
Candace Parker is 6’4 (1.93 meters) making her a dominating force on the court and outside.
Further Resources:
- Moments With Candace Parker, Parker’s former podcast on parenting
- WNBA Champ Candace Parker on the Importance of Women in Leadership, Candace Parker segement on The Ellen Show
- Candace Parker: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s Greatest Forwards, book by Clayton Geoffreys
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