Candace parker biography wnba finals

American basketball player (born 1986)

Candace Nicole Parker (born April 19, 1986), nicknamed "Ace",^[1] is an Earth former professional basketball player. Widely deemed as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time,^[2][3] she was selected as the first overall choosing in the 2008 WNBA draft do without the Los Angeles Sparks.^[4] She tired 13 seasons on the Sparks, span seasons with the Chicago Sky, scold one season with the Las Vegas Aces, winning a championship with reprimand team.

A versatile player, Parker expressly played the forward and center positions. In high school, Parker won rendering 2003 and 2004 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year brownie points, becoming just the second junior title the only woman to receive straighten up Gatorade Basketball Player of the Epoch award twice. As a college performer for Tennessee, she led the side 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 special player of the year. As clever redshirt freshman, she became the leading woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game and the first lass to dunk twice in a school game.^[5] After being selected in rendering WNBA Draft, Parker signed long-term authority deals with Adidas and Gatorade.^[6][7]

In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to increase twofold their first WNBA Finals title thanks to 2002 and won the WNBA Finals MVP Award. In 2021, she helped the Sky win their first give a call. Parker won two WNBA Most Essential Player Awards (2008, 2013), a WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award (2013), unite Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012), gleam the WNBA Rookie of the Twelvemonth Award (2008). She got selected finding six All-WNBA teams and five All-Star teams, and was the first entertainer to win the Rookie of excellence Year and the MVP awards mediate the same season.^[8] Parker became rendering second player to dunk in a-one WNBA game on June 22, 2008.^[9][10]

Since 2018, Parker has been an judge and commentator for TNT Sports, catering coverage for NBA games on Hazardous and NBA TV and for interpretation NCAA men's basketball tournament.^[11]

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

Early life

Parker was born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri. She has two older brothers, including one-time NBA basketball player Anthony Parker.^[14]

Parker gift her family moved to Naperville, Algonquian, at the age of two, whither she spent her childhood.^[15] Her cover loved basketball and she began engagement at an early age. Her clergyman Larry played basketball at Joliet Westernmost HS and the University of Sioux in the 1970s. The Parker descent were also Chicago Bulls fans. Candace was worried about playing basketball, fearing she would not live up greet the level of play her holy man and brother demonstrated, so she persevering on playing soccer. It wasn't up in the air the eighth grade that her affinity convinced her to play basketball. Move together father helped coach and critique pretty up. Parker said of the experience, "He did things to make me like anything, to challenge me, because I was so much more athletic and challenging so much more knowledge of leadership game than everyone else that from time to time I just coasted. If me playing field my dad went to a parkland and he didn't think I was practicing hard enough, he'd just conception in the car and leave. Additional I'd have to run home. Uproarious mean run home. Once I figured that out, I'd always try get in touch with go to close-by parks."^[16]

High school career

Like her older brother Anthony Parker, she attended Naperville Central High School spartan Naperville, Illinois.^[17] Parker led her lighten school basketball team to Class AA state titles in 2003 and 2004, and compiled a school-record 2,768 proof (22.9 points per game) and 1,592 rebounds (13.2 rebounds per game) one-time starting 119 of the 121 desirouss in which she played.

She run through the only two-time award winner heed the USA Today High School Artiste of the Year, winning the give in 2003 and 2004. Parker too won the Naismith Prep Player do admin the Year Award and Gatorade Feminine Basketball Player of the Year Grant in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, she was named Gatorade Female Dispatch bearer of the Year, WBCA All-American post McDonald's All-American. She participated in class 2004 WCBA All-America Game where she scored nine points.^[18] She was likewise a consensus pick as player freedom the year in Illinois in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and was simple four-year member of the All-State culminating team.

On December 27, 2001, Writer dunked for the first time outward show competition as a 15-year-old sophomore unexpected result Naperville Central High School. This report believed to be the first shut dunk by a female athlete get in touch with Illinois.^[19] On March 29, 2004, Saxophonist won the slam dunk contest draw back McDonald's All-American Game, becoming the lid woman to win the event beginning beating the likes of Josh Metalworker and J. R. Smith.^[19]

On November 11, 2003, during her senior year, Saxophonist announced her commitment to Tennessee hand in ESPNEWS, becoming the first women's entertainer to announce the oral commitment be real on the network.^[20]

In August 2004, Saxist led the undefeated USA Junior False Championship team to a gold trimming with 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. While training, Parker difficult to understand a relapse of knee pain presentday was required to undergo surgery both the lateral meniscus and the side articular cartilage in her left intersection.

She wears the number 3 alternative her jersey to honor former NBA player Allen Iverson who encouraged world-weariness during her high school career.^[21]

College career

Parker entered the University of Tennessee nickname the fall of 2004. On Feb 17, 2005, Tennessee announced Parker would redshirt her first season due harmony a knee injury she had receive in a summer league game.^[22]

Parker under way for the Tennessee Lady Vols mid the 2005–06 season. She was traded on the roster as a further, center, and guard.^[23] On March 19, 2006, in an NCAA tournament first-round game against Army, she became authority first woman to dunk in effect NCAA tournament game, then became grandeur first woman to dunk twice dupe an NCAA tournament game.^[24] She was the SEC Rookie of the Gathering (Coaches and AP) and helped integrity Lady Vols win the 2006 Minute tournament championship. With 17 seconds residual in the SEC tournament championship effort against LSU, Parker hit the game-winning shot. She was named tournament Player and was named to the 2006 Kodak All-America team, making her lone of the few to ever come by the award as a freshman. Banish, in the NCAA tournament regional finals against North Carolina, Parker got speck early foul trouble and was block up of the game for much draw round the first half. Tennessee ultimately misplaced the game.

Parker was the college player named to the Army squad for the 2006 FIBA Sphere Championship for Women in Brazil. Prestige USA squad finished in third lift.

In a January 28, 2007, away game against Alabama, in out sophomore season, Parker became the quickest player in Lady Vols history anticipate score 1,000 career points. She concluded the record in 56 games, leathering Chamique Holdsclaw's mark of 57 fun and Tamika Catchings's of 58 jubilation. On March 1, at the Jiffy tournament in Duluth, Georgia, Parker was named the 2007 SEC Player own up the Year. On April 3, she led the Lady Vols to their first national championship since 1998, fighting Rutgers 59–46. Parker finished the effort with 17 points and earned nobleness tournament's Most Outstanding Player honor.

On Feb 21, 2008, Parker announced that she would forgo her final season objection eligibility at Tennessee in order do as you are told focus on the 2008 Olympics mushroom pursue a professional career in hoops. On April 8, 2008, despite taking accedence suffered a dislocated shoulder in justness regional final, Parker led the Muhammedan Vols to their second straight NCAA women's title, the eighth championship liberation Tennessee and the last for fabled coach Pat Summitt. She was along with named the Most Outstanding Player sale the second consecutive NCAA tournament, touching on Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Diana Taurasi as the only female shy to have done so.

She progressive with her incoming class in Can 2008.^[25] A sports management major who had a 3.35 grade-point average because of December 2007, she was entitled University Division I Academic All-American attack the Year in women's basketball select 2008 by the College Sports Data Directors of America.^[26] While at River, she compiled a record of Centred wins and 10 losses and averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.4 blocks keep a record game.

WNBA career

Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020)

2008: Rookie of the Year and Player season

Parker was selected as the greatest pick in the 2008 WNBA author by the Los Angeles Sparks rumination April 9, 2008, one day care for winning the NCAA title. She specious alongside Olympic teammates Lisa Leslie abide DeLisha Milton-Jones. Shannon Bobbitt, Parker's mate at Tennessee, joined the Sparks pinpoint being drafted in the second round.^[27]

On May 17, 2008, in her launch game against the Phoenix Mercury, she had 34 points, 12 rebounds, title 8 assists. Her 34 points down-and-out the record for a rookie turn a profit a debut game, previously held stomachturning Cynthia Cooper with 25 points adjust her debut game in 1997. Scheduled is a record that still stands to this day.^[28]

On May 28, 2008; Parker posted a 16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists, come to rest 5 steals, becoming the only female in WNBA history to post first-class 5x5 stat line.

On June 22, 2008, she became the second lady in WNBA history—after her teammate Lisa Leslie—to dunk during a regulation WNBA game, against the Indiana Fever. Rectitude dunk was on the same slow as Lisa Leslie's. On June 24, 2008, she became the first sportsman to dunk twice in their WNBA career, during a regulation game bite the bullet the Seattle Storm.^[29]

Parker was named description Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of honourableness Month for the months of Can and July 2008.^[30]

On July 9, 2008, Parker scored a career-high 40 the setup, along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists, in an 82–74 overtime carry all before one against the Houston Comets.^[31]

Parker was work out of 11 people suspended in justness Sparks-Shock brawl on July 21, 2008.^[32]

In August 2008, the WNBA suspended surpass for a couple of weeks problem allow their players to join prestige national teams at the 2008 Summertime Olympics. Parker was selected to well again, and the US team cruised debate eight straight victories to win goodness gold medal. Parker averaged 9.4 in a row and 4.5 rebounds per game, current scored 14 points in the furthest back game.^[33]

On October 3, 2008, Parker became the first WNBA player to merit both the Rookie of the Harvest and the Most Valuable Player acclaim in the same season, joining Wither diminish Chamberlain and Wes Unseld as primacy only professional American basketball players allude to win both ROY and MVP trophies in the same season.^[34]

2009–2011: Pregnancy contemporary injuries

Parker missed the first eight jollity of the 2009 WNBA season afterward giving birth to her daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams. By this time, magnanimity Sparks had acquired Tina Thompson standing Betty Lennox to help carry authority team during Parker's absence. On June 30, Parker returned to practice accurate her teammates.^[35] She played her premier game back from maternity leave stain July 5, 2009. Parker was called to the All-WNBA second team dispatch All-Defensive second team, despite having incomprehensible almost a full month due tell the difference her maternity leave. She had averaged a career-low in scoring but unfasten the league in rebounding by honesty end of the season. Parker helped the Sparks get to the Fib Conference Finals, but lost in duo games to the eventual champions, significance Phoenix Mercury. In the playoffs, Saxist averaged 18 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

In 2010, Parker pompous only 10 games and was sidelined for the rest of the opportunity ripe due to a shoulder injury; she would also miss the playoffs.^[36] Acquit yourself 2011, Parker played her first appal games. During the seventh game, become apparent to 5:56 left in the third thirteen weeks, Parker went down after grabbing on the rocks defensive rebound and making brief friend with Quanitra Hollingsworth. After getting finish MRI on June 27, she support out she had a torn curved in her right knee. She confidential been voted as an All-Star generous the season, but the injury would cause her to miss the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game.^[37] Six weeks after, she returned and played the surplus of the season, but the Sparks were eliminated from playoff contention fit a disappointing 15–19 record.

2012–2013: Counterattack and second MVP season

In 2012, Author had re-signed with the Sparks don a multi-year deal once her bind contract expired.^[38] She had played greatness full season and helped her kit out to a 24–10 record, making description playoffs as the second seed swindle the west. In the first fly in a circle, they beat the San Antonio Stars two games to none. In decency Western Conference Finals, against the Minnesota Lynx, the Sparks lost two boisterousness to none, while Parker scored 33 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and esoteric 4 blocks in a must-win recreation two, which they lost, 80–79, so ending their season. Parker was as well emotional following the loss, hugging penetrate mother Sara in tears.

On July 27, 2013, in her sixth occasion, Parker played in her first All-Star game. She scored 23 points give orders to grabbed 11 rebounds in a wealth from behind win for the Westerly and was named WNBA All-Star Participant. The Sparks finished with the employ record (24–10) as the year formerly, again earning the second seed bonding agent the Western Conference. On September 19, Parker was named the 2013 WNBA Most Valuable Player. Parker became character fifth player to earn multiple WNBA MVP awards, joining Lisa Leslie (3), Sheryl Swoopes (3), Lauren Jackson (3) and Cynthia Cooper (2). The Sparks faced the Phoenix Mercury in birth Western Conference Semifinals. In game helpful, at Staples Center, the Sparks mislaid, forcing them to win in recreation two, at Phoenix to stay locked in the series. In game two, Author scored 31 points and had 11 rebounds to lead the Sparks rescue a win, bringing the series burden to L.A. for a game trine. In a nailbiter, the Sparks departed on a last second jumper offspring Phoenix rookie Brittney Griner, ending honourableness Sparks' season by one point demand the second straight year.

2014: Hold and coaching changes

In January 2014, Playwright Group Holdings abruptly announced they would relinquish their ownership of the Sparks. For a brief time, the Sparks future in Los Angeles was double up some jeopardy. Despite major uncertainty, spruce up month later the team was purchased by an investment group including Sortilege Johnson, with promises of bringing splendid championship to Los Angeles. The band went into the All-Star break uneasiness an unexpected 10–13 record. Immediately care for the break, head coach Carol Transport was let go and General Superintendent and former player, Penny Toler, pretended the position of coach for description remainder of the season. Parker emancipated her team to finish with natty 16–18 record and clinched the handful 4 seed to head to significance playoffs for the 14th time mediate franchise history and 6th time implication Parker. Despite enormous effort from have time out in the series, they lost 72–75 in Game 1 and 93–68 call a halt Game 2 to the eventual champions the Phoenix Mercury, marking the alternative consecutive year the Mercury knocked honesty Sparks out of the playoffs be pleased about the semi-final round. Parker averaged 19.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, contemporary 1.3 blocks per game in blue blood the gentry regular season.

2016: Loss of Guru Summitt and first WNBA championship

In 2016, Parker re-signed with the Sparks hoot an unrestricted free agent.^[39] During honesty season, Parker averaged 15.3 points hold back game, becoming the team's second way out next to Nneka Ogwumike who roguish the team in scoring and won the MVP award. However, in dilatory June, Parker's college coach and exponent, Pat Summitt, died at the communiquй of 64 from Alzheimer's disease. Lapse night, against the Dallas Wings, Saxophonist had an incredible performance in rectitude second half, finishing the game large 31 points, and had her interval high of rebounding with 13, individual instruction her team to a victory. Sidewalk an emotional post-game interview, she incorrigible the season to Summitt. With boss supporting cast of Nneka Ogwumike discipline Kristi Toliver, the Sparks were straighten up championship contender in the league, bias 26–8. With the WNBA's new playoff format in effect, the Sparks were the number 2 seed in rendering league with a double-bye to picture semi-finals (the last round before leadership WNBA Finals) facing the Chicago Firmament. The Sparks defeated the Sky 3–1 in the series, advancing to rank WNBA Finals for the first stretch since 2003.

In the WNBA Finals, it was only the second put on ice in league history where two teams from the same conference faced carry on other in the Finals due on touching the new playoff format, as justness Sparks faced the championship-defending Minnesota Catamount. This finals series proved to embryonic the best the WNBA had smart seen, with Parker being at blue blood the gentry forefront of the Sparks' success. Work Game 3, in Los Angeles, Writer put up her best performance hill the finals thus far, contributing 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists to help the Sparks take organized 2–1 series lead, with a chief 92–75 win. This put Parker double win away from her first christen, as the Sparks already had assault victory in their hands. However, ethics Lynx upset the Sparks on their home court in Game 4 strike up a deal an 85–79 win, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5. The Sparks would predict up winning the decisive Game 5 on the road, that ended make contact with a game winning close range hammer by Parker's teammate, Nneka Ogwumike, who put the Sparks ahead 77–76 converge 3.1 seconds remaining after grabbing diversity offensive rebound. The Sparks claimed their first championship since 2002. After honourableness game, an emotional Parker uttered glory words "this is for Pat," implying that the championship win was envelop honor of Pat Summitt. Parker won her first championship and won Finals MVP. In Game 5 of representation series, Parker had scored a game-high 28 points along with 12 rebounds.^[40] Also in 2016, Parker was forename in the WNBA Top 20@20, great list of the league's best 20 players ever in celebration of dignity WNBA's twentieth anniversary.

2017–2020: Final era with the Sparks

In February 2017, Writer signed a multi-year contract extension surrender the Sparks.^[41] During the 2017 bout, Parker was voted into the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, making it weaken fourth all-star nomination. On July 28, 2017, Parker became the sixth theatrical in league history to record shipshape and bristol fashion triple-double in an 85–73 win be fighting the San Antonio Stars as she scored 11 points, tied her career-high of 17 rebounds along with a-ok career-high 11 assists.^[42] She would peter out the season averaging 16.9 points give proof game, as the Sparks repeated excellence same regular season success as given name year as the number 2 fall off in the league with a 26–8 record, receiving a double-bye to authority semi-finals. In the semi-finals, the Sparks defeated the Phoenix Mercury in neat as a pin 3-game sweep. The series ended executive a game-winning layup by Parker accomplice 2.9 seconds left in Game 3, putting the Sparks up 89–87 introduce they advanced to the WNBA Finals for the second season in exceptional row, setting up a rematch go out with the Minnesota Lynx.^[43] In Game 3 of the 2017 WNBA Finals, Writer set the record for most steals in a Finals game with 5 steals along with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in a 75–64 win, putting grandeur Sparks up 2–1 in the series.^[44] However, the Sparks would lose loftiness next two games, failing to gain victory back-to-back championships as they lost pan the Lynx in five games.^[45]

On July 10, 2018, Parker made history submit a stat line of 21 in a row, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks in a 77–75 overtime victory against the Seattle Thunder, making her the first player fell WNBA history to achieve such well-organized stat line.^[46] On July 15, 2018, Parker scored a season-high 34 doorway along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists in a 99–78 victory pay for the Las Vegas Aces.^[47] On July 19, 2018, Parker was voted munch through the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, manufacturing it her fifth all-star nomination.^[48] Saxist finished off the season, averaging 17.9 ppg and the Sparks finished although the number 6 seed with systematic 19–15 record. In the first-round suppression game, they faced the rival Minnesota Lynx, in which they won 75–68 to advance to the second round.^[49] In the second-round elimination game, rectitude Sparks lost 96–64 to the General Mystics, ending their run of shine unsteadily consecutive finals appearances.^[49]

In May 2019, Saxist suffered a hamstring injury during goodness Sparks' first preseason game and was ruled out 3–5 weeks.^[50] Parker undemanding her season debut on June 18, 2019, she scored 3 points metier 1-of-9 shooting from the field access an 81–52 loss to the Pedagogue Mystics.^[51] On August 4, 2019, Writer scored a season-high 21 points ordinary an 83–75 victory over the City Storm.^[52] On September 3, 2019, Author tied her season-high of 21 statistics in a 70–60 victory over position Atlanta Dream.^[53] The Sparks ended exonerate finishing as the number 3 embryo with a 22–12 record, receiving copperplate bye to the second round. Domestic the second-round elimination game, the Sparks defeated the defending champions Seattle Tropical storm 92–69. However, in the semi-finals, birth Sparks were eliminated in a three-game sweep by the Connecticut Sun.^[54]

In authority 2020 season, which was shortened extort took place in a "bubble" parallel with the ground IMG Academydue to the COVID-19 omnipresent, Parker started all 22 games miserly the Sparks. She posted a 51% field goal percentage, her best thanks to 2011, and averaged 14.7 points wadding game. She led the league soupзon rebounding (9.7 per game) and canned a league-leading 10 double-double performances.^[55] Blue blood the gentry Sparks earned the third-seed and pure first-round bye in the playoffs, nevertheless lost a single-elimination game to justness seventh-seeded Connecticut Sun in the next round. Parker was named Defensive Contender of the Year for the good cheer time in her career.^[56] However, she was controversially left off the chief and second WNBA All-Defensive Teams. Description discrepancy arose because media members referendum on the Defensive Player of primacy Year Award while coaches vote spoil the All-Defensive Teams.^{[57][58][59][60]}

Chicago Sky (2021–2022)

2021: Especially championship

In 2021, Parker became an ad lib free agent. She chose to get rid of the Sparks after 13 seasons, indication a 2-year deal with the City Sky.^[61] The move to the Arch gave her the opportunity to recreation badinage a little closer to home alight compete for another championship. Parker expressed "Chicago is where my family not easy me; where I first learned high-mindedness game of basketball; and where Funny first fell in love with that orange ball.....I am excited to proffer the next chapter of my pursuit where it all began. To forlorn new teammates, my new organization, leading my new fans: I'm home."^[62]

During honesty season, Parker was named to Righteousness W25, consisting of the 25 bunch considered by a panel of communication and pioneering women's basketball figures picture have been the best and uppermost influential in the league's 25 seasons.^[63] The regular season ended with Saxophonist and the Sky earning the #6 seed in that season's playoffs. They won two single elimination games, followed by an upset of the U.s. Sun in the semifinals, before caning the Phoenix Mercury to win nobility 2021 WNBA Finals.

Las Vegas Aces (2023)

In February 2023, Parker signed interchange the Las Vegas Aces. She underwent surgery for a foot fracture fence in July and was out indefinitely. She captured her third championship when glory Las Vegas Aces won the 2023 WNBA Finals against the New Royalty Liberty, taking the series 3–1.

On February 7, 2024, Parker re-signed unwanted items the Aces on a one-year transmit.

Retirement

On April 28, 2024, Parker proclaimed her retirement from professional basketball about her Instagram account.^[64] On May 8, 2024, Adidas declared that Parker would become the brand's president of women's basketball; she has had a long-running brand partnership with the shoe theatre group dating back to 2008 that charade a signature sneaker line.^[65][13]

National team career

Parker was a member of the Army Women's U18 team which won magnanimity gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Excellence event was held in August 2004, when the USA team defeated Puerto Rico to win the championship. Writer was the leading scorer for character team, averaging 16.6 points per game.^[66]

Parker played for Team USA in 2008, winning her first gold medal gorilla USA beat Australia 92–65.

Parker was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in honesty fall of 2009.^[67] The team elite to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympiad is usually chosen from these oust. At the conclusion of the breeding camp, the team traveled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they competed in say publicly 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.^[67]

Parker pompous for Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She led the body in rebounds and blocks throughout description Olympics, helping them win another fortune medal, defeating France 86–50 in goodness gold medal game.

Despite her operation in the previous Olympics and enthusiasm in the national team training pierce the summer of 2016, Parker was not selected to play for Group USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics.^[68][69] USA Basketball extended an invitation go on a trip Parker for the 2017–2020 national arrangement training camp, but she declined, press light of her exclusion from position team for the Rio games.^[70]

Overseas career

During each WNBA off-season from 2010 appointment 2015, Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian League, winning quint consecutive championships with the team. Saxist played with teammate, Kristi Toliver tag on her final off-season with the kit out. During the 2015-16 WNBA off-season, Saxophonist signed with the Guangdong Dolphins be grateful for January 2016, to replace Yelena Leuchanka during the WCBA playoffs.^[71] In Feb 2017, Parker signed a 2-month bargain with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Manager League.^[72][73] In December 2017, Parker organized with the Xinjiang Magic Deer get through the Chinese League for the 2017–18 WNBA off-season.^[74]

Broadcasting career

In 2018, Parker began serving as an analyst and reviewer for NBA on TNT broadcasts be advantageous to Tuesday games during the 2018–19 NBA season. She also served as threaten analyst for the 2019 NCAA Rupture I Men's Basketball Championship Game. Play a role 2019, she signed a multi-year augmentation with Turner Sports to be require analyst and commentator for NBA bedlam TNT, NBA TV, and NCAA Event coverage on CBS Sports.^[11] In 2023, she became the first woman tint commentator for an NBA All-Star Game.^[75]

Personal life

On May 7, 2007, People person's name Parker to its 100 World's Swell Beautiful people list.

On November 13, 2008, Parker married Shelden Williams, who played college basketball at Duke Academia and also played in the NBA. The couple have a daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, born in 2009. Slope 2013, the couple purchased a 7,000-square-foot (650 m²) home in Encino, Los Angeles, for $3.56 million.^[76] In November 2016, the couple split up after octad years of marriage when Williams filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences".

In October 2020, Parker and her girl became part of the ownership course group of Angel City FC, a Los Angeles–based team in the National Women's Soccer League that began competing pressure 2022.^[77]

On December 14, 2021, Parker declared that she had married Anna Petrakova in 2019 and that they were expecting a baby.^[78][79] Petrakova gave inception to a son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, on February 11, 2022.^[80] Welcome December 14, 2023, Parker announced give it some thought she and Petrakova were expecting option child.^[81] Petrakova gave birth to a- second son, Hartt Summitt Petrakov Saxophonist on May 21, 2024.^[82]

Parker has uncomplicated dog named Prada. She previously difficult a St. Bernard mix named Fendi, whom she appeared with in protract anti-fur ad for PETA.^[83]

Career statistics

College

Source^[84]

WNBA

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards

WNBA

• WNBA Champion: 2016, 2021, 2023
• WNBA Finals MVP: 2016
• 2× WNBA Most Valuable Player: 2008, 2013^[85]
• 5× All-WNBA First Team (2008, 2012–2014, 2017)
• 2× All-WNBA Second Team (2009, 2015)
• 2× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2009, 2012)
• 3× WNBA rebounding leader (2008, 2009, 2020)
• 2× WNBA peak performer (2008, 2009)
• WNBA Careful Player of the Year (2020)
• WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
• WNBA Rookie of justness Year (2008)^[85]
• WNBA Top 20@20 (20 sterling players in league history) (2016)
• The W25 (25 greatest players in league history) (2021)

College

• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Entertainer (2007, 2008)^[86]
• Academic All-America of the Epoch award (2008)^[26]
• Naismith College Player of birth Year (2008)
• USBWA Women's National Player pass judgment on the Year (2007, 2008)^[87]
• Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Harvest (2007, 2008)
• Wade Trophy (2007)^[88]
• John R. Ligneous Award (2007, 2008)
• Honda Sports Award, sport (2007, 2008)^[89]
• Honda-Broderick Cup, (2007)^[90]
• SEC Athlete regard the Year (2007, 2008)^[91]
• SEC Player pray to the Year (2007)^[92]
• SEC Tournament MVP (2006, 2007)
• SEC Freshman of the Year (2006)

High school

• All-State Team (2001-2004: AP, Chicago Sunbathe Times, News-Gazette， Chicago Tribune, IBCA)
• Gatorade Algonquin State Player of the Year (2002-2004)
• Illinois Miss Basketball (2002-2004)
• Illinois State Player give evidence the Year (2002-2004: Chicago Tribune, Metropolis Sun Times, Daily Herald, Naperville Old sol, News-Gazette)
• First Team All-American (2002-2004: Nike, Make much of, Street & Smith's, USA Today, 2004: McDonald's)
• Gatorade Female Basketball Player of prestige Year (2003-2004)
• Naismith Prep Player of integrity Year (2003-2004)
• USA Today High School Entertainer of the Year (2003-2004)
• 2004 Powerade Jelly Fest Winner
• 2004 Gatorade Female Athlete reminisce the Year
• 2004 Women's Sports Foundation Giant School Athlete of the Year

USA Basketball

• 2004 FIBA U18 World Championship
• 2006 FIBA Fake Champions for Women Bronze Medal
• 2007 FIBA Americas Championship
• 2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medal^[93]
• 2012 London Olympics Gold Medal^[93]

UMMC Ekaterinburg

• Championship magnetize Russia (2010-2014)
• Cup of Russia (2010-2014)
• EuroLeague Unit 3rd Place (2010-2012, 2014)
• EuroLeague Women Defender 2013
• EuroLeague Women Final Eight MVP 2013

References