Candace Parker is a professional basketball player known for her remarkable skills on the court. These skills have earned her the nickname, Ace. Born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri, Parker has made a significant impact on the sport both on and off the court. Parker has become one of the most dominant players in women’s basketball history.
Parker first gained national attention during her high school career at Naperville Central High School, Illinois. She was named the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year twice, and she led her team to back-to-back state championships. Parker was also a standout volleyball player, earning All- American honors during her senior year. After graduating from high school in 2004, Parker went on to attend the University of Tennessee. She had an outstanding college career, leading the Lady vols to back- to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008. Parker was a three-time All-American and was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in both of Tennessee’s championship runs. In 2008, Parker was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. She wasted no time making an impact, averaging 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during her rookie season. Parker was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year and was also named to the All-WNBA First Team.
Parker has continued to excel in the WNBA, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She has been named the WNBA MVP twice, in 2008 and 2013, and has been named to the All-WNBA First team five times. Parker has also won two WNBA championships, in 2016 and 2021, and has been named the WNBA Finals MVP both times. In addition to her success on the court, Parker has also made significant contributions to the sport off the court. She has been a vocal advocate for women’s basketball and has worked to increase the visibility and recognition of the sport. Parker has also been active in social justice initiatives, speaking out on issues in the community such as police brutality and racism. Recently, Candice Parker was the first women to commentate an NBA All-Star game and the first women to judge the NBA dunk contest. So ultimately, Candice Parker could be called one of the greatest WNBA players of all time and one of the most inspirational athletes not only to women but, also men around America.
