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{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1986)}}
[[Image:CandaceParker.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Candace Parker at the University of Tennessee]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Candace Parker
| image = Parker5 20171004.jpg
| caption = Parker in 2017
| number = 3
| position = [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 184
| league =
| team =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|4|19}}
| birth_place = [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], U.S.
| high_school = [[Naperville Central High School|Naperville Central]]<br>([[Naperville, Illinois]])
| college = [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]] (2004–2008)
| draft_year = 2008
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 1
| draft_team = [[Los Angeles Sparks]]
| draft_league = WNBA
| career_start = 2008
| career_end = 2023
| years1 = {{WNBA Year|2008}}–{{WNBA Year|2020}}
| team1 = [[Los Angeles Sparks]]
| years2 = 2010–2015
| team2 = [[UMMC Ekaterinburg]]
| years3 = 2016
| team3 = Guangdong Dolphins
| years4 = 2017
| team4 = [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (women's basketball)|Fenerbahçe]]
| years5 = 2017–2018
| team5 = [[Xinjiang Magic Deer|Xinjiang Tianshan Deers]]|
| years6 = {{WNBA Year|2021}}–{{WNBA Year|2022}}
| team6 = [[Chicago Sky]]
| years7 = {{WNBA Year|2023}}
| team7 = [[Las Vegas Aces]]
| highlights = * 3× [[List of WNBA champions|WNBA champion]] ([[2016 WNBA Finals|2016]], [[2021 WNBA Finals|2021]], [[2023 WNBA Finals|2023]])
* [[WNBA Finals MVP]] ([[2016 WNBA Finals|2016]])
* 2× [[WNBA Most Valuable Player|WNBA MVP]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}}, {{WNBA Year|2013}})
* 7× [[WNBA All-Star Game|WNBA All-Star]] ([[2011 WNBA All-Star Game|2011]], [[2013 WNBA All-Star Game|2013]], [[2014 WNBA All-Star Game|2014]], [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game|2017]], [[2018 WNBA All-Star Game|2018]], [[2021 WNBA All-Star Game|2021]], [[2022 WNBA All-Star Game|2022]])
* [[WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|WNBA All-Star Game MVP]] ([[2013 WNBA All-Star Game|2013]])
* 7× [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA First Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}}, {{WNBA Year|2012}}–{{WNBA Year|2014}}, {{WNBA Year|2017}}, {{WNBA Year|2020}}, {{WNBA Year|2022}})
* 3× [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA Second Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2009}}, {{WNBA Year|2015}}, {{WNBA Year|2018}})
* 2× [[WNBA All-Defensive Team|WNBA All-Defensive Second Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2009}}, {{WNBA Year|2012}})
* [[WNBA Rookie of the Year]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}})
* [[WNBA All-Rookie Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}})
* [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]] ({{WNBA Year|2020}})
* [[List of Women's National Basketball Association season assists leaders|WNBA assists leader]] ({{WNBA Year|2015}})
* 3× [[List of Women's National Basketball Association season rebounding leaders|WNBA rebounding leader]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}}, {{WNBA Year|2009}}, {{WNBA Year|2020}})
* 2× [[List of Women's National Basketball Association season blocks leaders|WNBA blocks leader]] ({{WNBA Year|2009}}, {{WNBA Year|2012}})
* 3× [[WNBA Peak Performers|WNBA peak performer]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}}, {{WNBA Year|2009}}, {{WNBA Year|2020}})
* [[WNBA Top 20@20|WNBA 20th Anniversary Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2016}})
* [[The W25|WNBA 25th Anniversary Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2021}})
* No. 3 [[Los Angeles Sparks#Retired numbers|retired by Los Angeles Sparks]]
* No. 3 [[Chicago Sky#Retired numbers|retired by Chicago Sky]]
* 5× [[Russian Women's Basketball Premier League|Russian National League]] champion (2011–2015)
* 4× Russian Cup winner (2011–2014)
* [[EuroLeague Women|EuroLeague]] champion ([[2012–13 EuroLeague Women|2013]])
* 2× [[List of NCAA Women's Division I Basketball champions|NCAA champion]] ([[2007 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2007]], [[2008 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2008]])
* 2× [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player|NCAA Tournament MOP]] (2007, 2008)
* 2× [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|AP Female Athlete of the Year]] (2008, 2021)
* [[Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year|AP Player of the Year]] (2008)
* 2× [[USBWA Women's National Player of the Year|USBWA Player of the Year]] (2007, 2008)
* [[Naismith College Player of the Year]] (2008)
* [[List of Women's Basketball Academic All-America Team Members of the Year|Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year]] (2008)
* 2× [[John R. Wooden Award]] (2007, 2008)
* [[Wade Trophy]] (2007)
* 2× [[Honda Sports Award (basketball)|Honda Sports Award]] for basketball (2007, 2008)
* [[Honda-Broderick Cup]] (2008)
* 3x All-American – [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|Kodak/State Farm Coaches']], [[United States Basketball Writers Association|USBWA]] (2006–2008)
* 2x First-team All-American – [[Associated Press|AP]] (2007, 2008)
* Second-team All-American – AP (2006)
* [[SEC Female Athlete of the Year]] (2008)
* [[SEC Women's Basketball Player of the Year|SEC Player of the Year]] (2007)
* 2x [[SEC women's basketball tournament|SEC Tournament MVP]] ([[2006 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament|2006]], [[2008 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament|2008]])
* 3x First-team All-[[Southeastern Conference|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 Award|Naismith Prep Player of the Year]] (2003, 2004)
* Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year (2004)
* [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-American]] ([[2004 McDonald's All-American Girls Game|2004]])
* [[McDonald's All-American Game|Morgan Wootten Player of the Year]] (2004)
| wnba_profile = candace_parker
| medal_templates = {{MedalSport | Women's [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Under-18 Women's Americas Championship|FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship]]}}
{{MedalGold|2004 Puerto Rico|[[United States women's national under-19 basketball team|Team]]}}
}}
 
'''Candace Nicole Parker''' (born April 19, 1986), nicknamed "'''Ace'''",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creative |first=Paradowski |title=Adidas |url=https://paradowski.com/work/adidas-ar-experience |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Paradowski Creative |language=en}}</ref> is an American former professional [[basketball]] player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest [[WNBA]] players of all time,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-21 |title=Ranking the 25 greatest players in WNBA history |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32210623/wnba-greatest-players-all-ranking-25-best-league-history |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Abhishek |date=January 31, 2022 |title=Top 10 Greatest WNBA Players of all Time |url=https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Basketball/Greatest-WNBA-Players-of-all-Time/3653 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Chase Your Sport |language=en}}</ref> she was selected as the first overall pick in the [[2008 WNBA draft]] by the [[Los Angeles Sparks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 WNBA Draft |url=https://www.wnba.com/draft2008/ |access-date=2021-12-22 |website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA |language=en}}</ref> 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.
'''Candace Nicole Parker''' (born [[April 19]], [[1986]] in [[St. Louis, Missouri]]) is an American [[basketball]] player at the [[University of Tennessee]]. She may be best known for being the first reported woman to [[Slam dunk|dunk]] in an [[NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]] game and the first reported woman to dunk twice in a college game &mdash; she set both milestones as a [[redshirt freshman]] on [[March 19]], [[2006]].
 
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 Player of the Year awards#Basketball|Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year award]] twice. As a college player for [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]], she led the team to two consecutive national championships ([[2007 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2007]], [[2008 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2008]]), was named the Final Four's most outstanding player in both occasions and was a two-time consensus [[John R. Wooden Award|national player of the year]]. As a [[redshirt freshman]], she became the first woman to [[slam dunk|dunk]] in an [[NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]] game and the first woman to dunk twice in a college game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/news/overseas_0809.html |title=Offseason 2008-09: Overseas Roster |publisher=Wnba.com |date=January 8, 2009}}</ref> After being selected in the WNBA Draft, Parker signed long-term endorsement deals with [[Adidas]] and [[Gatorade]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |author-link=Darren Rovell |date=April 22, 2008 |title=Parker Signs With Adidas and Gatorade |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/24248609 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718221039/http://www.cnbc.com/id/24248609 |archive-date=July 18, 2008 |website=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/04/Issue-147/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Candace-Parker-Signs-Endorsements-With-Gatorade-Adidas.aspx |title=Candace Parker Signs Endorsements With Gatorade, Adidas |website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com |access-date=November 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105145339/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/04/Issue-147/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Candace-Parker-Signs-Endorsements-With-Gatorade-Adidas.aspx |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Personal==
Basketball is a sport quite familiar to the Parker family. Her father Larry played at the [[University of Iowa]], and her brother [[Anthony Parker|Anthony]] is a former 2 time Euro League MVP and now plays for the [[Toronto Raptors]].
 
In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to win their first [[2016 WNBA Finals|WNBA Finals]] title since 2002 and won the [[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|WNBA Finals MVP Award]]. In 2021, she helped the Sky win their [[2021 WNBA Finals|first title]]. Parker won two [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award]]s ([[2008 WNBA season|2008]], [[2013 WNBA season|2013]]), a [[WNBA All-Star Game MVP|WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award]] ([[2013 WNBA All-Star Game|2013]]), two [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic gold medals]] ([[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's team rosters|2008]], [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's team rosters|2012]]), and the [[WNBA Rookie of the Year Award]] ([[2008 WNBA season|2008]]). She was selected to six [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA teams]] and five [[WNBA All-Star Game|All-Star]] teams, and was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and the MVP awards in the same season.<ref name=ROY/> Parker became the second player to dunk in a WNBA game on June 22, 2008.<ref name="si">{{Cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/03/21/parker.draft/index.html |title=Parker has opportunity to declare for '07 WNBA draft |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=March 22, 2007 |access-date=March 28, 2007 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026105429/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/03/21/parker.draft/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="sbee">{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Melody |title=College stars boost WNBA draft suspense |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |date=April 2, 2007 |url=http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/147890.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207023940/http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/147890.html |archive-date=February 7, 2008 |access-date=April 4, 2007}}</ref>
==High School years==
Parker attended [[Naperville Central High School]] in [[Naperville, Illinois]] and graduated in 2004. While in high school, Parker led her basketball team to state titles in 2003 and 2004 and amassed numerous accolades.
 
Since 2018, Parker has been an analyst and commentator for [[TNT Sports (United States)|TNT Sports]], providing coverage for [[NBA]] games on [[NBA on TNT|TNT]] and [[NBA TV]] and for the [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament upsets|NCAA men's basketball tournament]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2019 |title=Candace Parker, Turner Sports reach multiyear extension |url=https://www.nba.com/news/candace-parker-turner-sports-reach-multiyear-extension |url-status=live |access-date=2021-03-20 |website=NBA.com |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510060001/https://www.nba.com/news/candace-parker-turner-sports-reach-multiyear-extension |archive-date=May 10, 2021}}</ref>
She is the only two time award winner of the ''[[USA Today]]'' Player of the Year, winning the award in 2003 and 2004. Parker won the [[Naismith_High_School_Player_of_the_Year|Naismith]] and [[Gatorade]] Awards as national basketball player of the year during her junior and senior years. She would win the Gatorade award again in her senior year to join only [[Marion Jones]] and [[Lebron James]] as the only back to back winners.
 
Following her retirement in spring of 2024, Parker was named president of Adidas women's basketball.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hess |first=AJ |date=8 May 2024 |title=Retiring WNBA legend Candace Parker is the new president of Adidas women's basketball (exclusive) |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91117560/candace-parker-wnba-president-adidas-womens-basketball |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=Fast Company}}</ref><ref name="Andscape">{{cite news |last1=Richard |first1=Brandon |title=WNBA legend Candace Parker earned her stripes in long partnership with Adidas |url=https://andscape.com/features/candace-parker-adidas-basketball-sneakers-legacy/ |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=Andscape |publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc. |date=8 May 2024}}</ref>
She was a consensus pick as player of the year in Illinois in 2002, 2003, and 2004. A four year member of the [[All-State]] first team, Parker compiled a school-record 2,768 points (22.9 points per game) and 1,592 rebounds (13.2 rebounds per game), while starting 119 of the 121 games in which she played. She also became the first women's player to announce her [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] women's basketball verbal commitment live on [[ESPNEWS]].
 
==Early life==
She played during the summer after her junior year. Parker tore her [[Anterior_cruciate_ligament|ACL]] in her left knee in a summer league game. She returned in December of her senior year and went on to lead her school to its second consecutive state title.
Parker was born on April 19, 1986, in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She has two older brothers, including former [[NBA]] basketball player [[Anthony Parker]].<ref name="Biography Today">{{cite book |title=Biography Today |year=2010 |page=[https://archive.org/details/biographytodayge0000unse_h7i3/page/143 143] |publisher=Omnigraphics |___location=[[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]] |isbn=978-0-7808-1058-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/biographytodayge0000unse_h7i3/page/143}}</ref>
 
Parker moved with her family to [[Naperville, Illinois]] at the age of two, where she spent her childhood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grantland.com/features/the-life-career-wnba-candace-parker/ |title=Candace Parker Knows What She Wants |first=Louisa |last=Thomas |date=June 19, 2013}}</ref> Her family loved basketball and she began playing at an early age.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Her father Larry played basketball at Joliet West HS and the [[Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball|University of Iowa]] in the 1970s.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The Parker family were also [[Chicago Bulls]] fans.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Candace was worried about playing basketball, fearing she would not live up to the level of play her father and brother demonstrated, so she focused on playing soccer.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} It wasn't until the eighth grade that her family convinced her to play competitive basketball.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Her father helped coach and critique her.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker said of the experience, "He did things to make me mad, to challenge me, because I was so much more athletic and had so much more knowledge of the game than everyone else that sometimes I just coasted. If me and my dad went to a park and he didn't think I was practicing hard enough, he'd just get in the car and leave. And I'd have to run home. I mean run home. Once I figured that out, I'd always try to go to close-by parks."<ref>"Biography Today", pp.144-145</ref>
In August of 2004, the "CP-3"s, Team USA roommates Candace Parker and [[Courtney Paris]], led the undefeated USA Junior World Championship team to a [[Gold medal]] with 16.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 15.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg respectively. While training, Parker had a relapse of knee pain and was required to undergo surgery in her [[lateral meniscus]] and the lateral articular cartilage in her left knee.
 
==SlamHigh Dunkschool contestcareer==
Like her older brother [[Anthony Parker]], she attended [[Naperville Central High School]] in [[Naperville, Illinois]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Coming Home |url=https://napervillemagazine.com/coming-home/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Naperville magazine}}</ref> Parker led her high school basketball team to Class AA state titles in 2003 and 2004, and compiled a school-record 2,768 points (22.9 points per game) and 1,592 rebounds (13.2 rebounds per game) while starting 119 of the 121 games in which she played.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
Parker made sports history in March 2004 by winning the Slam Dunk contest of the [[McDonald's High School All-American]] Game in [[Oklahoma City]]. Only a 17-year-old high school senior, Parker beat five male competitors for the prestigious title, including future 2005 [[NBA_Slam_Dunk_Contest|NBA Slam Dunk]] contestant [[JR Smith]]. The competition had been won in years past by [[LeBron James]] and [[Vince Carter]].
 
She is the only two-time award winner of the ''[[USA Today]]'' High School Player of the Year, winning the award in 2003 and 2004.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker also won the [[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award]] and Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year Award in 2003 and 2004.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In 2004, she was named Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|WBCA]] All-American and [[McDonald's All-American]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She participated in the 2004 WCBA All-America Game where she scored nine points.<ref name="WBCA Box Scores"/> She was also a consensus pick as player of the year in Illinois in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and was a four-year member of the All-State first team.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
After throwing down several dunks in the opening rounds, Parker saved her most dramatic for the final victory. She darted down the left side of the lane, with her left arm covering her eyes, and jammed a crowd-pleasing clean right-handed dunk, although as she took her arm away from her face, it was perhaps not an actual no-look dunk. Some sportswriters at the time were skeptical whether Parker's dunks were impressive enough to win the contest on their own or whether the judges had given her higher marks due to the sheer surprise of seeing a female high school player dunk so smoothly. Nonetheless, she was one of the few players to complete every dunk and even her competitors were impressed and stated that she deserved the victory.
 
On December 27, 2001, Parker dunked for the first time in competition as a 15-year-old sophomore at Naperville Central High School.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Temkin |first=Barry |date=2001-12-30 |title=Forget dunk– Parker’s game doesn’t need it |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/12/30/forget-dunk-parkers-game-doesnt-need-it/ |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> This is believed to be the first slam dunk by a female athlete in Illinois.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2004-03-31 |title=Surprise in Dunk Contest |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-31-sp-dunk31-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=2021-03-20 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411231052/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-31-sp-dunk31-story.html |archive-date=April 11, 2021}}</ref> On March 29, 2004, Parker won the slam dunk contest at [[McDonald's All-American Game]], becoming the first woman to win the event and beating the likes of [[Josh Smith]] and [[J. R. Smith]].<ref name=":0" />
 
On November 11, 2003, during her senior year, Parker announced her commitment to [[University of Tennessee, Knoxville|Tennessee]] on [[ESPNEWS]], becoming the first women's player to announce the oral commitment live on the network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-04-01 |title=Timeline: Candace Parker, Tennessee |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3223546/timeline-candace-parker-tennessee/ |access-date=2021-03-20 |website=Oklahoman.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
In August 2004, Parker led the undefeated USA Junior World Championship team to a gold medal with 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} While training, Parker had a relapse of knee pain and was required to undergo surgery both the [[lateral meniscus]] and the lateral articular cartilage in her left knee.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
 
She wears the number 3 on her jersey to honor former NBA player [[Allen Iverson]] who encouraged her during her high school career.<ref>{{cite instagram |user=candaceparker |postid=456eb295-939e-48b1-8da0-1590b7c17b2a |title=#TBT Bet y'all didn't know the reason I wear the #3 is cuz of @theofficialai3 ! |date=May 4, 2017}}</ref>
 
==College career==
Parker entered the [[University of Tennessee]] in the fall of 2004.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On February 17, 2005, Tennessee announced Parker would redshirt her first season due to a knee injury she had suffered in a summer league game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Jeffrey |date=Aug 26, 2004 |title=Knee Injury Shelves Candace Parker |url=https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/Article/Knee-Injury-Shelves-Candace-Parker-104115363/ |access-date=2021-03-20 |website=GoVols247 |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Parker started for the [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee Lady Vols]] during the 2005–06 season.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She was listed on the roster as a forward, center, and guard.<ref>{{cite web |title=2006-07 Lady Vols Roster |url=http://www.volnation.com/blog/tennessee-lady-vols-basketball-roster-2006/ |access-date=November 11, 2008}}</ref> On March 19, 2006, in an NCAA tournament first-round game against [[United States Military Academy|Army]], she became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, then became the first woman to dunk twice in an NCAA tournament game.<ref name="Biography Today, pp.146">"Biography Today", pp. 146</ref> She was the [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Rookie of the Year (Coaches and AP) and helped the Lady Vols win the [[SEC Tournament|2006 SEC tournament championship]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} With 17 seconds remaining in the SEC tournament championship game against [[LSU Lady Tigers basketball|LSU]], Parker hit the game-winning shot.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She was named tournament MVP and was named to the 2006 Kodak All-America team, making her one of the few to ever receive the award as a freshman.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} However, in the NCAA tournament regional finals against [[North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball|North Carolina]], Parker got in early foul trouble and was out of the game for much of the first half.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Tennessee ultimately lost the game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
Parker was the only college player named to the USA squad for the [[2006 FIBA World Championship for Women]] in [[Brazil]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The USA squad finished in third place.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
In a January 28, 2007, away game against Alabama, in her sophomore season, Parker became the fastest player in Lady Vols history to score 1,000 career points.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She achieved the record in 56 games, beating [[Chamique Holdsclaw]]'s mark of 57 games and [[Tamika Catchings]]'s of 58 games.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On March 1, at the SEC tournament in Duluth, Georgia, Parker was named the 2007 SEC Player of the Year.v On April 3, she led the Lady Vols to their first national championship since 1998, beating [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights|Rutgers]] 59–46.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker finished the game with 17 points and earned the tournament's [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player|Most Outstanding Player]] honor.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}[[File:2008-W-NCAA-Final-Four-4-07-08.jpg|thumb|Parker (left) gets ready for the jump ball against [[Sylvia Fowles]] (right)]]
On February 21, 2008, Parker announced that she would forgo her final season of eligibility at Tennessee in order to focus on the [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Olympics]] and pursue a professional career in basketball.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On April 8, 2008, despite having suffered a dislocated shoulder in the regional final, Parker led the Lady Vols to their second straight NCAA women's title, the eighth championship for Tennessee and the last for legendary coach [[Pat Summitt]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She was also named the Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive NCAA tournament, joining [[Cheryl Miller]], [[Chamique Holdsclaw]], and [[Diana Taurasi]] as the only female players to have done so.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
She graduated with her incoming class in May 2008.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022108aaa.html |title=Parker to pursue Olympics and pro career |publisher=University of Tennessee Women's Athletic Department |date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=March 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717033826/http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022108aaa.html |archive-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> A sports management major who had a 3.35 grade-point average as of December 2007, she was named University Division I Academic All-American of the Year in women's basketball for 2008 by the College Sports Information Directors of America.<ref name="Academic AA">{{cite web |url=http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022608aaa.html |title=Parker is Academic All-American of the Year |author=College Sports Information Directors of America |publisher=University of Tennessee Women's Athletic Department |date=February 26, 2008 |access-date=March 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717033831/http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022608aaa.html |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> While at Tennessee, she compiled a record of 100 wins and 10 losses and averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
==WNBA career==
 
===Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020)===
 
====2008: Rookie of the Year and MVP season====
Parker was selected as the first pick in the [[2008 WNBA draft]] by the [[Los Angeles Sparks]] on April 9, 2008, one day after winning the NCAA title.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She played alongside Olympic teammates [[Lisa Leslie]] and [[DeLisha Milton-Jones]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Shannon Bobbitt, Parker's teammate at Tennessee, joined the Sparks after being drafted in the second round.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/sports/ncaabasketball/09ncaa.html?sq= |title=Summitt wins again when it matters |author=Jeré Longman, with The AP |publisher=iht.com |date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref>
 
On May 17, 2008, in her debut game against the [[Phoenix Mercury]], she had 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Her 34 points broke the record for a rookie in a debut game, previously held by [[Cynthia Cooper-Dyke|Cynthia Cooper]] with 25 points in her debut game in 1997.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} It is a record that still stands to this day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/basketball/news/newsid=131077.html |title=Parker scores 34, the most ever in a WNBA debut |author=Bagnato, Andrew |date=May 17, 2008 |access-date=May 17, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801174308/http://www.nbcolympics.com/basketball/news/newsid=131077.html |archive-date=August 1, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
On May 28, 2008; Parker posted a 16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists, and 5 steals, becoming the only woman in WNBA history to post a 5x5 stat line.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
On June 22, 2008, she became the second woman in WNBA history—after her teammate [[Lisa Leslie]]—to dunk during a regulation WNBA game, against the [[Indiana Fever]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The dunk was on the same basket as Lisa Leslie's.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On June 24, 2008, she became the first player to dunk twice in their WNBA career, during a regulation game against the [[Seattle Storm]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-23-sp-sparks23-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |title=Parker dunks to cap win |first=Dan |last=Arritt |date=June 23, 2008}}</ref>
 
Parker was named the Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month for the months of May and July 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wnba.com/news/rookieofmonth_080603.html|title=Parker Named Hanns-G Rookie of the Month}}</ref>
 
On July 9, 2008, Parker scored a career-high 40 points, along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists, in an 82–74 overtime win against the [[Houston Comets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/wnba/recap?gameId=280709006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104075745/http://www.espn.com/wnba/recap?gameId=280709006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |title=Parker's career-high 40 points give Sparks OT win}}</ref>
 
Parker was one of 11 people suspended in the [[Sparks-Shock brawl]] on July 21, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/news/story?id=3503435|title=11 suspended for Sparks-Shock fight|date=July 24, 2008|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
 
In August 2008, the WNBA suspended play for a couple of weeks to allow their players to join the national teams at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker was selected to go, and the US team cruised with eight straight victories to win the gold medal.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker averaged 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and scored 14 points in the final game.<ref>"Biography Today", pp.149</ref>
 
On October 3, 2008, Parker became the first WNBA player to win both the [[WNBA Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] and the [[WNBA Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player]] awards in the same season, joining [[Wilt Chamberlain]] and [[Wes Unseld]] as the only professional American basketball players to win both ROY and MVP trophies in the same season.<ref name=ROY/>
 
====2009–2011: Pregnancy and injuries====
Parker missed the first eight games of the 2009 WNBA season after giving birth to her daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2025 |title=Candace Parker talks about the problems of balancing motherhood and WNBA |url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/wnba/candace-parker-talks-about-the-problems-of-balancing-motherhood-and-wnba |website=Basketball Network}}</ref> By this time, the Sparks had acquired [[Tina Thompson]] and [[Betty Lennox]] to help carry the team during Parker's absence.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On June 30, Parker returned to practice with her teammates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/features/candace_watch.html |title=Parker Returns To Practice |publisher=Wnba.com |date=July 3, 2009}}</ref> She played her first game back from maternity leave on July 5, 2009.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker was named to the All-WNBA second team and All-Defensive second team, despite having missed almost a full month due to her maternity leave.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She had averaged a career-low in scoring but led the league in rebounding by the end of the season.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker helped the Sparks get to the Western Conference Finals, but lost in three games to the eventual champions, the [[Phoenix Mercury]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the playoffs, Parker averaged 18 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
In 2010, Parker played only 10 games and was sidelined for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury; she would also miss the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fullcourt.com/lee-michaelson/4973/parker-undergo-shoulder-surgery-will-miss-balance-wnba-season |title=Parker to Undergo Shoulder Surgery; Will Miss Balance of WNBA Season |access-date=November 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105153512/http://www.fullcourt.com/lee-michaelson/4973/parker-undergo-shoulder-surgery-will-miss-balance-wnba-season |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, Parker played her first six games.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} During the seventh game, with 5:56 left in the third quarter, Parker went down after grabbing a defensive rebound and making brief contact with [[Quanitra Hollingsworth]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} After getting an [[MRI]] on June 27, she found out she had a torn meniscus in her right knee.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She had been voted as an All-Star during the season, but the injury would cause her to miss the [[2011 WNBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swishappeal.com/2011/7/23/2289779/2011-wnba-all-star-game-the-year-of-the-rookie |title=2011 WNBA All-Star Game - The Year of the Rookie |date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> Six weeks later, she returned and played the remainder of the season, but the Sparks were eliminated from playoff contention with a disappointing 15–19 record.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
====2012–2013: Comeback and second MVP season====
[[File:Candace Parker 2012.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Parker in 2012]]
In 2012, Parker had re-signed with the Sparks to a multi-year deal once her rookie contract expired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swishappeal.com/2012/4/25/2974347/candace-parker-re-signs-multi-year-deal-with-los-angeles-sparks |title=Candace Parker Re-Signs Multi-Year Deal With Los Angeles Sparks |first=Jessica |last=Lantz |date=April 25, 2012}}</ref> She had played the full season and helped her team to a 24–10 record, making the playoffs as the second seed in the west.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the first round, they beat the [[San Antonio Stars]] two games to none.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the Western Conference Finals, against the [[Minnesota Lynx]], the Sparks lost two games to none, while Parker scored 33 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and had 4 blocks in a must-win game two, which they lost, 80–79, therefore ending their season.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker was very emotional following the loss, hugging her mother Sara in tears.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
On July 27, 2013, in her sixth season, Parker played in her first All-Star game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a come from behind win for the West and was named WNBA All-Star MVP.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The Sparks finished with the same record (24–10) as the year earlier, again earning the second seed in the Western Conference.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On September 19, Parker was named the 2013 [[WNBA Most Valuable Player]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker became the fifth player to earn multiple WNBA MVP awards, joining [[Lisa Leslie]] (3), [[Sheryl Swoopes]] (3), [[Lauren Jackson]] (3) and [[Cynthia Cooper-Dyke|Cynthia Cooper]] (2).{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The Sparks faced the [[Phoenix Mercury]] in the Western Conference Semifinals.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In game one, at Staples Center, the Sparks lost, forcing them to win in game two, at Phoenix to stay in the series.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In game two, Parker scored 31 points and had 11 rebounds to lead the Sparks to a win, bringing the series back to L.A. for a game three.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In a nailbiter, the Sparks lost on a last second jumper by Phoenix rookie [[Brittney Griner]], ending the Sparks' season by one point for the second straight year.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
====2014: Ownership and coaching changes====
In January 2014, Williams Group Holdings abruptly announced they would relinquish their ownership of the Sparks.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} For a brief time, the Sparks future in Los Angeles was in some jeopardy.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Despite major uncertainty, a month later the team was purchased by an investment group including [[Magic Johnson]], with promises of bringing a championship to Los Angeles.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The team went into the All-Star break with an unexpected 10–13 record.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Immediately after the break, head coach [[Carol Ross]] was let go and General Manager and former player, [[Penny Toler]], assumed the position of coach for the remainder of the season.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker led her team to finish with a 16–18 record and clinched the number 4 seed to head to the playoffs for the 14th time in franchise history and 6th time for Parker.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Despite enormous effort from her in the series, they lost 72–75 in Game 1 and 93–68 in Game 2 to the eventual champions the Phoenix Mercury, marking the second consecutive year the Mercury knocked the Sparks out of the playoffs in the semi-final round.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker averaged 19.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game in the regular season.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
====2016: Loss of Coach Summitt and first WNBA championship====
In 2016, Parker re-signed with the Sparks as an unrestricted free agent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/candace-parker-re-signs-los-angeles-sparks|title=Candace Parker Re-Signs with Los Angeles Sparks - WNBA|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> During the season, Parker averaged 15.3 points per game, becoming the team's second option next to [[Nneka Ogwumike]] who led the team in scoring and won the [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award|MVP award]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} However, in late June, Parker's college coach and mentor, [[Pat Summitt]], died at the age of 64 from [[Alzheimer's disease]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} That night, against the [[Dallas Wings]], Parker had an incredible performance in the second half, finishing the game with 31 points, and had her season high of rebounding with 13, guiding her team to a victory.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In an emotional post-game interview, she dedicated the season to Summitt.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} With a supporting cast of Nneka Ogwumike and [[Kristi Toliver]], the Sparks were a championship contender in the league, finishing 26–8.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} With the WNBA's new playoff format in effect, the Sparks were the number 2 seed in the league with a double-bye to the semi-finals (the last round before the WNBA Finals) facing the [[Chicago Sky]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The Sparks defeated the Sky 3–1 in the series, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2003.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
In the WNBA Finals, it was only the second time in league history where two teams from the same conference faced each other in the Finals due to the new playoff format, as the Sparks faced the championship-defending [[Minnesota Lynx]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} This finals series proved to be the best the WNBA had ever seen, with Parker being at the forefront of the Sparks' success.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} For Game 3, in Los Angeles, Parker put up her best performance of the finals thus far, contributing 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists to help the Sparks take a 2–1 series lead, with a dominant 92–75 win.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} This put Parker one win away from her first title, as the Sparks already had one victory in their hands.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} However, the Lynx upset the Sparks on their home court in Game 4 with an 85–79 win, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The Sparks would end up winning the decisive Game 5 on the road, that ended with a game winning close range shot by Parker's teammate, Nneka Ogwumike, who put the Sparks ahead 77–76 with 3.1 seconds remaining after grabbing an offensive rebound.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The Sparks claimed their first championship since 2002.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} After the game, an emotional Parker uttered the words "this is for Pat," implying that the championship win was in honor of Pat Summitt.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker won her first championship and won [[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In Game 5 of the series, Parker had scored a game-high 28 points along with 12 rebounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/game/20161020/LASMIN/ |title=10/20/16: Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref> Also in 2016, Parker was named in the [[WNBA Top 20@20]], a list of the league's best 20 players ever in celebration of the WNBA's twentieth anniversary.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
====2017–2020: Final years with the Sparks====
In February 2017, Parker signed a multi-year contract extension with the Sparks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/two-time-wnba-mvp-candace-parker-extends-contract-los-angeles-sparks/|title=Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker Extends Contract with Los Angeles Sparks|website=Los Angeles Sparks}}</ref> During the 2017 season, Parker was voted into the [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her fourth all-star nomination.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On July 28, 2017, Parker became the sixth player in league history to record a triple-double in an 85–73 win over the [[San Antonio Stars]] as she scored 11 points, tied her career-high of 17 rebounds along with a career-high 11 assists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2724452-candace-parker-becomes-6th-player-in-wnba-history-with-triple-double|title=Candace Parker Becomes 6th Player in WNBA History with Triple-Double|first=Adam|last=Wells|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> She would finish the season averaging 16.9 points per game, as the Sparks repeated the same regular season success as last year as the number 2 seed in the league with a 26–8 record, receiving a double-bye to the semi-finals.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the semi-finals, the Sparks defeated the Phoenix Mercury in a 3-game sweep.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The series ended on a game-winning layup by Parker with 2.9 seconds left in Game 3, putting the Sparks up 89–87 as they advanced to the WNBA Finals for the second season in a row, setting up a rematch with the Minnesota Lynx.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/9/17/16323632/wnba-sparks-mercury-candance-parker-game-winner-diana-taurasi-finals-2017-rematch|title=Candace Parker's game-winner sends Sparks to WNBA Finals again|first=Tim|last=Cato|date=September 17, 2017|website=SBNation.com}}</ref> In Game 3 of the [[2017 WNBA Finals]], Parker 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 the Sparks up 2–1 in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/video/candace-parker-with-5-steals-against-the-lynx|title=Video - WNBA.com|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> However, the Sparks would lose the next two games, failing to win back-to-back championships as they lost to the Lynx in five games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WNBA Playoffs 2017 - WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2017 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.wnba.com}}</ref>
 
On July 10, 2018, Parker made history with a stat line of 21 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks in a 77–75 overtime victory against the Seattle Storm, making her the first player in WNBA history to achieve such a stat line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2018/07/10/sparks-edge-storm-in-overtime-thriller/|title=Sparks edge Storm in overtime thriller|agency=Associated Press|website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On July 15, 2018, Parker scored a season-high 34 points along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists in a 99–78 victory over the [[Las Vegas Aces]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2018/07/15/parker-scores-34-to-lead-sparks-in-99-78-win-over-aces/36898603/|title=Parker scores 34 to lead Sparks in 99-78 win over Aces|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> On July 19, 2018, Parker was voted into the [[2018 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her fifth all-star nomination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/rosters-set-for-team-delle-donne-vs-team-parker-at-verizon-wnba-all-star-2018|title=Rosters Set For Team Delle Donne vs. Team Parker at Verizon WNBA All-Star 2018 - WNBA|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> Parker finished off the season, averaging 17.9 ppg and the Sparks finished as the number 6 seed with a 19–15 record.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the first-round elimination game, they faced the rival Minnesota Lynx, in which they won 75–68 to advance to the second round.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=WNBA Playoffs 2018 - WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2018 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> In the second-round elimination game, the Sparks lost 96–64 to the Washington Mystics, ending their run of two consecutive finals appearances.<ref name=":3" />
 
In May 2019, Parker suffered a hamstring injury during the Sparks' first preseason game and was ruled out 3–5 weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://highposthoops.com/2019/05/14/candace-parker-3-5-weeks-injury-hamstring/|title=Los Angeles Sparks to be without Candace Parker for 3-5 weeks|date=May 14, 2019|website=High Post Hoops}}</ref> Parker made her season debut on June 18, 2019, she scored 3 points on 1-of-9 shooting from the field in an 81–52 loss to the Washington Mystics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sparks-mystics-20190618-story.html|title=Candace Parker's return is spoiled in Sparks' lopsided loss to Mystics|date=June 19, 2019|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On August 4, 2019, Parker scored a season-high 21 points in an 83–75 victory over the Seattle Storm.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-08-04/sparks-storm-wnba-candace-parker|title=Candace Parker's season high helps Sparks beat Storm|date=August 4, 2019|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On September 3, 2019, Parker tied her season-high of 21 points in a 70–60 victory over the Atlanta Dream.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sparks overcome sluggish start with star power in victory over Dream |date=2019-09-04 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419231349/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-09-03/sparks-dream-victory-candace-parker-chelsea-gray |archive-date=2023-04-19 |url-status=live |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-09-03/sparks-dream-victory-candace-parker-chelsea-gray}}</ref> The Sparks ended up finishing as the number 3 seed with a 22–12 record, receiving a bye to the second round.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the second-round elimination game, the Sparks defeated the defending champions Seattle Storm 92–69.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} However, in the semi-finals, the Sparks were eliminated in a three-game sweep by the [[Connecticut Sun]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WNBA Playoffs 2019 - WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/wnba-playoffs-2019 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.wnba.com}}</ref>
 
In the [[2020 WNBA season|2020 season]], which was shortened and took place in a "bubble" at [[IMG Academy]] [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|due to the COVID-19 pandemic]], Parker started all 22 games for the Sparks.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She posted a 51% field goal percentage, her best since 2011, and averaged 14.7 points per game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She led the league in rebounding (9.7 per game) and recorded a league-leading 10 double-double performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gentry |first=Dorothy J.|date=2020-09-16 |title=Candace Parker Wants You to Know She's Not Done Yet |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/sports/basketball/wnba-candace-parker-sparks.html |access-date=2020-09-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Sparks earned the third-seed and a first-round bye in [[2020 WNBA Playoffs|the playoffs]], but lost a single-elimination game to the seventh-seeded [[2020 Connecticut Sun season|Connecticut Sun]] in the second round.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker was named [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]] for the first time in her career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voepel |first=M.A.|author-link=M.A. Voepel|date=2020-09-24 |title=Parker named WNBA defensive player of the year |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/29960733/los-angeles-sparks-forward-candace-parker-named-wnba-defensive-player-year |access-date=2020-09-30 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> However, she was controversially left off the first and second [[WNBA All-Defensive Team]]s.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The discrepancy arose because media members vote on the Defensive Player of the Year Award while coaches vote on the All-Defensive Teams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maloney |first=Jack |date=September 29, 2020 |title=Sparks' Candace Parker won Defensive Player of the Year, but didn't make either WNBA All-Defensive team |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/sparks-candace-parker-won-defensive-player-of-the-year-but-didnt-make-either-wnba-all-defensive-team/ |access-date=2020-09-30 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Voepel |first=M.A.|author-link=M.A. Voepel|date=2020-09-30 |title=Bottom line on @Candace_Parker: It was clear she'd be a Hall of Famer before she even got to the @WNBA. She's won every title and award worth winning and still works to improve. She's been motivated by constructive criticism but not deterred by petty, cheap-shot stuff. ... |url=https://twitter.com/mechellev/status/1311341392149573633 |access-date=2020-09-30 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Thuc Nhi |date=2020-09-29 |title=Sparks' Brittney Sykes, not Candace Parker, makes All-Defensive team |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-09-29/sparks-brittney-sykes-makes-all-defensive-team-not-candace-parker |access-date=2020-09-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Voepel |first=M.A.|author-link=M.A. Voepel|date=2020-09-29 |title=Storm's Clark tops WNBA all-defensive 1st team |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/30003192/seattle-storm-alysha-clark-unanimous-choice-wnba-all-defensive-first-team |access-date=2020-09-30 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
=== Chicago Sky (2021–2022) ===
 
====2021: Second championship====
In 2021, Parker became an unrestricted free agent.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She chose to leave the Sparks after 13 seasons, signing a 2-year deal with the [[Chicago Sky]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky-and-wnba/2021/2/1/22260134/candace-parker-signs-2-year-deal-with-sky-im-home|title=Candace Parker signs 2-year deal with Sky: 'I'm home'|date=February 1, 2021|website=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> The move to the Sky gave her the opportunity to play a little closer to home and compete for another championship.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker stated "Chicago is where my family raised me; where I first learned the game of basketball; and where I first fell in love with this orange ball.....I am excited to continue the next chapter of my career where it all began. To my new teammates, my new organization, and my new fans: I'm home."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Jamal |date=February 1, 2021 |title=Candace Parker officially signs with the Chicago Sky — making them an instant favorite for the WNBA title: 'Nobody has ever signed a free agent like this' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sky/ct-chicago-sky-candace-parker-james-wade-20210201-zqmcggzlofggflu2fpzpfgfosm-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=2021-03-20 |website=Chicago Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201214028/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sky/ct-chicago-sky-candace-parker-james-wade-20210201-zqmcggzlofggflu2fpzpfgfosm-story.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref>
 
During the season, Parker was named to [[The W25]], consisting of the 25 players considered by a panel of media and pioneering women's basketball figures to have been the best and most influential in the league's 25 seasons.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ |title=WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25" |publisher=WNBA |date=September 5, 2021 |accessdate=October 18, 2021}}</ref> The regular season ended with Parker and the Sky earning the #6 seed in that season's playoffs.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} They won two single elimination games, followed by an upset of the [[Connecticut Sun]] in the semifinals, before beating the [[Phoenix Mercury]] to win the [[2021 WNBA Finals]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
=== Las Vegas Aces (2023) ===
In February 2023, Parker signed with the Las Vegas Aces.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She underwent surgery for a foot fracture in July and was out indefinitely. Although she did not participate in the playoffs, she still captured her third championship and was awarded a ring when the [[Las Vegas Aces]] won the [[2023 WNBA Finals]] against the [[New York Liberty]], taking the series 3–1.<ref>https://www.wnba.com/game/1042300304/LVA-vs-NYL</ref>
 
Due to the previously mentioned foot fracture, Parker's final WNBA game was played on July 7, 2023 when the Aces lost to the [[Dallas Wings]] 78 - 80. In her final game, Parker recorded 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.<ref>https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/boxscores/202307070DAL.html</ref>
 
On February 7, 2024, Parker re-signed with the Aces on a one-year contract but ended up not playing any games that season.<ref>https://justwomenssports.com/reads/candace-parker-wnba-las-vegas-aces-one-year-deal/</ref>
 
===Retirement===
On April 28, 2024, Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball via her Instagram account.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40044481/candace-parker-two-wnba-mvp-announces-retirement|title=Candace Parker, two-time WNBA MVP, announces retirement|work=[[ESPN]]|first=Alexa|last=Philippou|date=April 28, 2024|access-date=April 28, 2024}}</ref> 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 company dating back to 2008 that included a signature sneaker line.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Adidas names Parker prez of women's basketball |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40106382/adidas-names-candace-parker-president-women-basketball |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=[[ESPN.com]] |language=en |agency=Field Level Media}}</ref><ref name="Andscape"/>
 
==National team career==
Parker was a member of the [[USA Women's U18 and U19 teams|USA Women's U18]] team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in [[Mayagüez, Puerto Rico]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The event was held in August 2004, when the USA team defeated Puerto Rico to win the championship.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker was the leading scorer for the team, averaging 16.6 points per game.<ref name="2004 U18" />
 
Parker played for Team USA in [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008]], winning her first gold medal as USA beat [[Australia]] 92–65.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
Parker was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in the fall of 2009.<ref name="National Team">{{cite web |url=http://usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=09_wnt_fall_invitees_add_rm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716050712/http://usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=09_wnt_fall_invitees_add_rm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |title=USA Basketball Women's National Team To Tip-Off Training Tomorrow In D.C.|publisher=USA Basketball |access-date=October 1, 2009}}</ref> The team selected to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics is usually chosen from these players.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} At the conclusion of the training camp, the team traveled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they competed in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.<ref name="National Team" />
 
Parker played for Team USA at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She led the team in rebounds and blocks throughout the Olympics, helping them win another gold medal, defeating [[France]] 86–50 in the gold medal game.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
Despite her performance in the previous Olympics and participation in the national team training into the summer of 2016, Parker was not selected to play for Team USA in the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/15353813/leaving-candace-parker-rio-team-bad-call-usa-basketball |title=Omitting Parker is a bad call by USA Basketball |date=April 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicekicks.com/candace-parker-left-off-olympic-team-wears-adidas/ |title=Was Candace Parker Left Off The Olympic Team Because She Wears adidas? - Nice Kicks |date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> USA Basketball extended an invitation to Parker for the 2017–2020 national team training camp, but she declined, in light of her exclusion from the team for the Rio games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Favor |first1=Sue |title=Parker, McCoughtry declined USA Basketball camp invitations for different reasons, agent says |url=http://womenshoopsworld.com/2017/09/08/parker-mccoughtry-declined-usa-basketball-camp-invitations-for-different-reasons-agent-says/ |website=Women's Hoops World |access-date=April 2, 2018 |date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>
 
==Overseas career==
During each WNBA off-season from 2010 to 2015, Parker played for [[UMMC Ekaterinburg]] of the [[Russian Women's Basketball Premier League|Russian League]], winning five consecutive championships with the team.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Parker played with teammate, [[Kristi Toliver]] in her final off-season with the team.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} During the 2015-16 WNBA off-season, Parker signed with the Guangdong Dolphins in January 2016, to replace [[Yelena Leuchanka]] during the [[Women's Chinese Basketball Association|WCBA]] playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=317589 |title=Candace Parker to play for Guangdong in WCBA playoffs - Shanghai Daily |website=www.shanghaidaily.com}}</ref> In February 2017, Parker signed a 2-month contract with [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (women's basketball)|Fenerbahçe]] of the [[Women's Basketball Super League|Turkish Super League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fanatik.com.tr/2017/02/27/fenerbahce-yi-bombayi-patlatti-candace-parker-1280185 |title=Fenerbahçe'yi bombayı patlattı: Candace Parker |last=fanatik |website=Fanatik|date=May 30, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ntvspor.net/basketbol/fenerbahce-candace-parker-i-acikladi-58b532d3591e55147808205c|title=Fenerbahçe Candace Parker'ı açıkladı!|website=NTVSpor.net|date=February 28, 2017 }}</ref> In December 2017, Parker signed with the [[Xinjiang Magic Deer]] of the [[Women's Chinese Basketball Association|Chinese League]] for the 2017–18 WNBA off-season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sangbe.com/article/90626.html|title=Xinjiang women's basketball team and "female trapeze" Parker continued front|access-date=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150341/http://www.sangbe.com/article/90626.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
==Broadcasting career==
In 2018, Parker began serving as an analyst and commentator for [[Turner Sports]] during the [[2018–19 NBA season]], primarily working Tuesday night [[NBA on TNT|NBA]] games under the Players Only brand.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She also served as a studio analyst for the [[2019 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In 2019, she signed a multi-year extension with Turner to continue as an analyst and commentator for the ''NBA on TNT'''s rebranded Tuesday coverage and NCAA Tournament coverage on TNT and [[CBS Sports]], while also joining [[NBA TV]].<ref name=":1" /> In 2023, she became the first woman [[color commentator]] for an [[NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-mailbag-candace-parker-for-women-history-month|title=NBA Mailbag: Submit your questions for Candace Parker|website=NBA.com}}</ref>
 
Parker will join [[NBA on Prime Video|Prime Video]] as a game and studio analyst during the [[2025-26 NBA season|2025-26 season]], while also leading the streaming service's WNBA coverage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/en/press-release/prime-video-welcomes-udonis-haslem-steve-nash-cand|website=amazonmgmstudios.com |title=Prime Video Welcomes Udonis Haslem, Steve Nash, Candace Parker, and Dwyane Wade to NBA on Prime Team }}</ref>
 
==Personal life==
On May 7, 2007, ''[[People magazine|People]]'' named Parker to its 100 World's Most Beautiful people list.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
On November 13, 2008, Parker married [[Shelden Williams]], who played college basketball at [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke University]] and also played in the [[NBA]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The couple have a daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, born in 2009.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In 2013, the couple purchased a {{convert|7000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} home in [[Encino, Los Angeles]], for $3.56 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=WNBA Star Candace Parker Wants to Pass Encino Estate to New Owners |author=Johnson Mandell, Lisa |date=November 23, 2017 |publisher=Realtor.com|access-date=November 23, 2017 |url=https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/candace-parker-encino-estate/}}</ref> In November 2016, the couple split up after eight years of marriage when Williams filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences".{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
 
In October 2020, Parker and her daughter became part of the ownership group of [[Angel City FC]], a Los Angeles–based team in the [[National Women's Soccer League]] that began competing in 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/angel-city-confirms-name-as-angel-city-football-club-and-officially-joins-national-womens-soccer-league |title=Angel City Confirms Name as Angel City Football Club and Officially Joins National Women's Soccer League |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026083002/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/angel-city-confirms-name-as-angel-city-football-club-and-officially-joins-national-womens-soccer-league |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
On December 14, 2021, Parker announced that she had married former basketball player [[Anna Petrakova]] in 2019 and that they were expecting a baby.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reimer |first=Alex |date=2021-12-14 |title=Candace Parker publicly comes out on her wedding anniversary |url=https://www.outsports.com/2021/12/14/22834648/candace-parker-coming-out-gay-wife-baby-wnba-chicago-sky |access-date=2021-12-14 |website=Outsports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Costabile |first=Annie |date=2021-12-14 |title=Candace Parker announces she is expecting a baby with wife |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky-and-wnba/2021/12/14/22834599/candace-parker-announces-expecting-baby-with-wife |access-date=2021-12-14 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref> Petrakova gave birth to a son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, on February 11, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-18 |title=WNBA Star Candace Parker Welcomes Baby with Wife Anna Petrakova: 'We Are in Absolute Love' |url=https://people.com/parents/candace-parker-welcomes-baby-with-wife-anna-petrakova/ |access-date= |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> On December 14, 2023, Parker announced that she and Petrakova were expecting another child.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=WNBA's Candace Parker and Wife Anna Petrakova Reveal They're Expecting Baby No. 3 in Draft-Themed Announcement |url=https://people.com/wnba-candace-parker-wife-anna-petrakova-expecting-baby-no-3-8416300 |access-date= |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> Petrakova gave birth to a second son, Hartt Summitt Petrakov Parker on May 21, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=WNBA's Candace Parker and Wife Anna Petrakova Welcome Baby Boy |url=https://people.com/wnba-candace-parker-wife-anna-petrakova-welcome-baby-8575484 |access-date= |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>
 
Parker has a dog named Prada.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} She previously had a [[St. Bernard (dog)|St. Bernard]] mix named Fendi, whom she appeared with in an anti-fur ad for [[PETA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/05/candace-parker-stars-in-new-peta-ad/1|title=Candace Parker stars in new PETA ad|date=May 14, 2010|access-date=May 24, 2025|archive-date=May 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516062411/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/05/candace-parker-stars-in-new-peta-ad/1}}</ref>
 
==Career statistics==
{{WNBA player statistics legend}}
 
=== College ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Team
!GP
!Points
!FG%
!3P%
!FT%
!RPG
!APG
!SPG
!BPG
!PPG
|-2006-07
|2005–06
|[[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]]
|36
|622
|'''55.2'''
|25.0
|'''72.9'''
|8.3
|'''2.8'''
|1.6
|2.4
|17.3
|-
|2006–07
|[[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]]
|36
|706
|52.9
|'''33.3'''
|71.6
|'''9.8'''
|2.4
|1.8
|'''2.6'''
|19.6
|-
|2007–08
|[[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]]
|'''38'''
|'''809'''
|53.6
|26.7
|69.8
|8.5
|2.5
|'''2.3'''
|2.4
|'''21.3'''
|-
|Career
|[[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]]
|110
|2137
|53.8
|28.3
|71.3
|8.8
|2.6
|1.9
|2.4
|19.4
|}
Source<ref name="NCAA Player stats"/>
 
=== WNBA ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|†
|Denotes seasons in which Parker won a [[WNBA Finals|WNBA championship]]
|}
 
====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008 WNBA season|2008]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 33 || 33 || 33.6 || '''.523''' || '''.423'''|| .733 || style="background:#D3D3D3"| 9.5° || 3.4 || 1.3 || 2.3 || 18.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009 WNBA season|2009]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 25 || 24 || 32.6 || .485 || .208 || .763 || style="background:#D3D3D3"| 9.8° || 2.6 || 0.6 || 2.1 || 13.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010 WNBA season|2010]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 10 || 10 || 33.5 || .500 || .250 || .732 || '''10.1''' || 2.2 || 1.0 || 2.2 || '''20.6'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2011 WNBA season|2011]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2011 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 17 || 16 || 32.6 || .511 || .419 || .736 || 8.6 || 2.8 || 1.2 || 1.6 || 18.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2012 WNBA season|2012]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2012 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 33 || 33|| 30.7 || .481 || .322 || .710 || 9.7 || 3.3 || 1.5 || style="background:#D3D3D3"| '''2.3'''° || 17.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013 WNBA season|2013]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 31 || 31 || 28.7 || .493 || .257 || .762 || 8.7 || 3.8 || 1.2 || 1.8 || 17.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014 WNBA season|2014]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 30 || 29 || 33.2 || .469 || .306 || .846 || 7.1 || 4.3 || 1.8 || 1.4 || 19.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2015 WNBA season|2015]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2015 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 16 || 16 || '''34.4''' || .489 || .279 || .815 || style="background:#D3D3D3"| '''10.1'''° || style="background:#D3D3D3"| '''6.3'''° || '''1.9''' || 1.8 || 19.4
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2016 WNBA season|2016]]<sup>†</sup>
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2016 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| '''34'''|| '''34''' || 30.8 || .442 || .382 || .707 || 7.4 || 4.9 || 1.3 || 1.0 || 15.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017 WNBA season|2017]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 33 || 33 || 30.5 || .478 || .354 || .756 || 8.4 || 4.3 || 1.4 || 1.7 || 16.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 WNBA season|2018]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 31 || 30 || 30.6 || .471 || .345 || .808 || 8.2 || 4.7 || 1.2 || 1.0 || 17.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2019 WNBA season|2019]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2019 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 22 || 22 || 26.0 || .422 || .267 || .791 || 6.4 || 3.5 || 1.0 || 0.7 || 11.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2020 WNBA season|2020]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2020 Los Angeles Sparks season|Los Angeles]]
| 22 || 22 || 30.0 || .510 || .396 || .731 || style="background:#D3D3D3"| 9.7° || 4.6 || 1.2 || 1.2 || 14.7
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2021 WNBA season|2021]]<sup>†</sup>
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2021 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| 23 || 23 || 26.7 || .458 || .329 || .794 || 8.4 || 4.0 || 0.8 || 1.2 || 13.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022 WNBA season|2022]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| 32 || 32 || 28.3 || .458 || .311 || .816 || 8.6 || 4.5 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 13.2
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2023 WNBA season|2023]]<sup>†</sup>
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2023 Las Vegas Aces season|Las Vegas]]
| 18 || 18 || 23.6 || .465 || .333 || '''.893''' || 5.4 || 3.7 || 1.5 || 0.9 || 9.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|16 years, 3 teams
| 410 || 406 || 30.4 || .479 || .333 || .767 || 8.5 || 4.0 || 1.3 || 1.5 ||16.0
{{S-end}}
 
====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008 WNBA Playoffs|2008]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 6 || 6 || 36.5 || .459 || .000 || .759 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|9.8° || 3.8 || 1.5 || 2.2 || 15.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009 WNBA Playoffs|2009]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 6 || 6 || 35.2 || .535 || .250 || .705 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|10.7° || 1.7 || 0.8 || 1.8 || 18.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2012 WNBA Playoffs|2012]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 4 || 4 || 36.0 || '''.573''' || '''.500''' || .875 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|11.0° || 4.3 || 1.0 || 1.8 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''28.8'''°
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013 WNBA Playoffs|2013]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 3 || 3 || 37.3 || .542 || .000 || .684 || 8.7 || 1.3 || 1.0 || 1.0 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|25.7°
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014 WNBA Playoffs|2014]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 2 || 2 || 36.5 || .543 || .250 || .444 || 6.0 || 3.5 || 1.5 || 2.5 || 21.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2015 WNBA Playoffs|2015]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 3 || 3 || 38.3 || .418 || .389 || .842 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|10.7° || 4.7 || 2.3 || 1.3 || 23.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2016 WNBA Playoffs|2016]]{{sup|†}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
|9 || 9 || 33.0 || .469 || .313 || .778 || 8.7 || 3.2 || 1.7 || 1.9 || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017 WNBA Playoffs|2017]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 8 || 8 || 34.1 || .426 || .243 || .895 || 9.1 || '''5.1''' || '''2.5''' || 2.0 || 16.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 WNBA Playoffs|2018]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 2 || 2 || 30.5 || .364 || .250 || '''1.000''' || 7.0 || 3.0 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''2.5'''° || 0.0 || 9.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2019 WNBA Playoffs|2019]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 4 || 4 || 23.6 || .545 || .333 || .333 || 6.0 || 3.5 || 1.0 || 2.0 || 10.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2020 WNBA Playoffs|2020]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| 1 || 1 ||style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''40.0'''° || .462 || '''.500''' || .900 ||style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''14.0'''° || 5.0 || 1.0 || 2.0 || 22.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2021 WNBA Playoffs|2021]]{{sup|†}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| '''10''' || '''10''' || 32.4 || .491 || .333 || .895 || 8.4 || 4.4 || 2.1 || 1.0 || 13.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022 WNBA Playoffs|2022]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| 8 || 8 || 29.4 || .438 || .333 || .759 ||style="background:#D3D3D3"|10.8° || 4.6 || 1.4 || '''2.6''' || 14.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"| 14 years, 3 teams
| 66 || 66 || 33.3 || .481 || .304 || .777 || 9.2 || 3.8 || 1.6 || 1.8 || 17.4
{{S-end}}
 
==Awards==
The College Female Dunker of the Year™ 2006.Candace Parker does it again Candace Parker Dunking, First Dunk in Women's NCAA. It's Official Candace Parker from Naperville, Ill. have been selected as the winner of the first High School Female Dunker of the Year™ 2004 is the 2006 College Female Dunker of the Year™ and is the first female to dunk in a NCAA game two time. Future Tennessee freshman follows footsteps of Michelle Snow of won the. The College Female Dunker of the Year™ 2001-2002.dunktv.com
 
===WNBA===
Parker has been nomianted to win an ESPY for the GMC Professional Grade Play Award.
* WNBA Champion: 2016, 2021, 2023
* WNBA Finals MVP: 2016
*2× WNBA Most Valuable Player: 2008, 2013<ref name=ROY>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/news/story?id=3623772|title=Sparks' Parker wins MVP, rookie of year honors|date=October 3, 2008|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
*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 Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
* WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
* WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008)<ref name=ROY/>
* WNBA Top 20@20 (20 greatest players in league history) (2016)
* The W25 (25 greatest players in league history) (2021)
 
===College years===
* NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2007, 2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsline.com/ncaawbasketball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAW_20070327_MS@TN |title=Parker, Tennessee thrash Ole Miss to reach Final Four |access-date=March 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203021337/http://www.sportsline.com/ncaawbasketball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAW_20070327_MS@TN |archive-date=February 3, 2013}}</ref>
Parker attends the [[University of Tennessee]]. She ended up taking a [[medical redshirt]] her freshman year of college, and is currently starting for the [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers]] during the 2005-06 season. She was the [[Southeastern Conference]] [[Rookie of the Year]] (Coaches and AP) and helped the Lady Vols win the [[2006 SEC Tournament Championship Game|2006 SEC Tournament Championship]]. With 17 seconds remaining in the [[2006 SEC Tournament Championship Game]] against [[LSU]], Parker hit the game-winning shot. She was named Tournament [[MVP]].
*Academic All-America of the Year award (2008)<ref name="Academic AA"/>
*[[Naismith College Player of the Year]] (2008)
*[[USBWA Women's National Player of the Year]] (2007, 2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/033107aab.html |title=Parker named to USBWA Player of the Year |access-date=March 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007160152/http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/033107aab.html |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year]] (2007, 2008)
* [[Wade Trophy]] (2007)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slog.cstv.com/shesonfire/2007/03/all_cp3_all_the_time.html |title=All CP3 All The Time |access-date=March 31, 2007}}</ref>
* [[John R. Wooden Award]] (2007, 2008)
* [[Honda Sports Award (basketball)|Honda Sports Award]], basketball (2007, 2008)<ref name="lotsofawards">{{cite web |url=http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/041607aab.html |title=CANDACE PARKER NAMED 2006-07 HONDA AWARD WINNER |date=April 17, 2007 |access-date=September 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717033738/http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/041607aab.html |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Honda-Broderick Cup]], (2007)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080623006209&newsLang=en |title=Basketball Star Candace Parker Awarded 2008 Honda-Broderick Cup |publisher=Business Wire |date=June 23, 2008 |access-date=June 23, 2008}}</ref>
*SEC Athlete of the Year (2007, 2008)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.utladyvols.com/default/tennw-default.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229221119/http://www.utladyvols.com/default/tennw-default.html|url-status=dead|title=utladyvols.com|archivedate=February 29, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year|SEC Player of the Year]] (2007)<ref name="SEC2007">{{cite web |title=2007 SEC Women's Basketball Awards Announced |url=http://secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=4&url_article_id=8449&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 |access-date=February 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160519/http://secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=4&url_article_id=8449&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref>
*SEC Tournament MVP (2006, 2007)
*SEC Freshman of the Year (2006)
 
===High school===
On March 19, 2006, against Army, Parker became the first woman player, on record, to dunk in an NCAA tournament game. Her one-handed [[breakaway]] [[dunk]] came in just 6:12. She would make history again by dunking in the second half with a [[baseline]] [[slam dunk|slam]], becoming the first female player to dunk twice in an NCAA game.
* All-State Team (2001-2004: AP, Chicago Sun Times, News-Gazette， Chicago Tribune, IBCA)
* Gatorade Illinois State Player of the Year (2002-2004)
* Illinois Miss Basketball (2002-2004)
* Illinois State Player of the Year (2002-2004: Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Daily Herald, Naperville Sun, News-Gazette)
* First Team All-American (2002-2004: Nike, Parade, Street & Smith's, USA Today, 2004: McDonald's)
* Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year (2003-2004)
* Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2003-2004)
* USA Today High School Player of the Year (2003-2004)
* 2004 Powerade Jam Fest Winner
* 2004 Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year
* 2004 Women's Sports Foundation High School Athlete of the Year
 
===USA Basketball===
On [[March 29]], [[2006]], against the [[University of North Carolina]] in the [[NCAA]] Tournament regional finals, a questionable second foul on Parker early in the first half put the [[University of Tennessee]] in a hole that they could not climb out of. Parker later blamed herself for the lost and told the media that that was the first time in her entire career that she had committed so many [[turnovers]] (8).
*2004 FIBA U18 World Championship
*2006 FIBA World Champions for Women Bronze Medal
*2007 FIBA Americas Championship
*2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medal<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Candace Parker |url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-basketball/athletes/candace-parker |url-status=dead |access-date=2021-12-22 |website=TeamUSA.org |publisher=[[United States Olympic Committee]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501175222/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-basketball/athletes/Candace-Parker |archive-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref>
*2012 London Olympics Gold Medal<ref name=":2" />
 
===UMMC Ekaterinburg===
==Controversy==
*Championship of Russia (2010-2014)
Some question whether all of Parker's dunks are pure [[slam dunk]]s (when a ball is forced through the rim from above). The [[skeptic]]s argue instead that what Parker often does is grab the rim on a [[layup|lay-in]], giving the appearance of a dunk. The vast majority of news coverage and analysis, however, has described these baskets as dunks.
*Cup of Russia (2010-2014)
*EuroLeague Women 3rd Place (2010-2012, 2014)
*EuroLeague Women Champion 2013
*EuroLeague Women Final Eight MVP 2013
 
== References ==
[[Commentators]] have also questioned whether the increased presence of the dunk in the women's game should be celebrated in any event. Some feel that it encourages an unfavorable contrast with the extreme athleticism of current men's dunks. Other observers wonder if the dunk will increase focus on individual accomplishment instead of the team game, currently seen as more of a concern in men's basketball.
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
 
<ref name="WBCA Box Scores">{{cite web |title=WBCA High School All-America Game Box Scores |url=http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_box_scores |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715064856/http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_box_scores |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>
==Vital statistics==
 
* Height: 6 feet 4 inches
<ref name="2004 U18">{{cite web |title=Fifth Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying Team -- 2004 |date=February 20, 2014 |url=http://www.usab.com/history/u18-womens/fifth-womens-junior-world-championship-qualifying-team-2004.aspx |publisher=USA Basketball |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912170748/http://www.usab.com/history/u18-womens/fifth-womens-junior-world-championship-qualifying-team-2004.aspx |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>
* Vertical leap: inches ( cm)
 
* Weight: 172 lb ( kg)
<ref name="NCAA Player stats">{{cite web |title=Women's Basketball Player stats |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/careersearch |website=NCAA |access-date=September 22, 2015}}</ref>
* Position: [[Basketball#Players and positions|Forward]]
 
* Team: [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers|University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers]]
}}
 
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110128222019/http://candaceparker.com/ Official website] candaceparker.com
*[http://www.dunktv.com/ndaa_awards/vote_for_slamdunkawards.htm]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141102085354/http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/candace_parker/career_stats.html WNBA profile]
*[http://www.hiphopmusic.com/best_of_youtube/2006/03/candace_parker_dunking_first_d.html] Video of March 2006 "First NCAA Women's Double Dunk"
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023915/http://archive.usab.com/bios/parker_candace.html USA Basketball bio]
*[http://www.timesunion.com/Shared/Graphics/NewsDB/AP/NCAA%20TENNESSEE%20ARMY%20BASKETBALL%20VASH10703192153_TN.jpg Photo Of Parker's Dunk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130621132721/http://utladyvolswww.collegesportsutsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/parker_candace00.html NCAATennessee Lady PlayerVols Profilebio]
* {{Basketballstats}}
*[http://www.bballx.com/player.php?first=Candace&last=Parker BBALLX High School and College Player Profile]
 
*[http://mcdepk.com/2004allamericangame/04aag_candace.html Official McDonalds Press Kit]
{{Navboxes| list1 =
*[http://blogs.foxsports.com/MrVolunteer/2005/12/12/ONEONONE_WITH_CANDACE_PARKER_THE_UT_LADY_VOLS_BASKETBALL_STAR FoxSports One-On-One with Parker]
{{Morgan Wootten Player of the Year}}
*[http://www.candaceparker.com CandaceParker.com] - unofficial fan site with over 40 videos
{{Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{Gatorade National Athlete of the Year}}
{{USBWA National Player of the Year – Women}}
{{Women's Basketball Academic All-America of the Year}}
{{NCAA basketball tournament MOP women}}
{{Wade Trophy}}
{{ESPY Best Female College Athlete}}
{{Naismith Player of the Year women}}
{{Wooden Player of the Year women}}
{{Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year navbox}}
{{Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{2007 Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball navbox}}
{{2008 Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball navbox}}
{{2008 WNBA draft}}
{{WNBA First Overall Picks}}
{{WNBA Rookies of the Year}}
{{WNBA MVP}}
{{WNBA rebounding leaders}}
{{WNBA assists leaders}}
{{WNBA blocks leaders}}
{{WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award}}
{{WNBA Top 20 Team}}
{{The W25}}
{{ESPY Best WNBA Player}}
{{Footer 2008 Olympic Champions Basketball Women}}
{{United States Women Basketball Squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year navbox}}
{{ESPY Female Athlete}}
{{UMMC Ekaterinburg 2012–13 Euroleague Women champions}}
{{Los Angeles Sparks 2016 WNBA Champions}}
{{Chicago Sky 2021 WNBA champions}}
{{Las Vegas Aces 2023 WNBA champions}}
{{WNBA Finals MVP}}
{{Los Angeles Sparks}}
{{NBA on TNT}}
{{Honda Sports Award}}
{{Angel City FC}}
{{BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:1986 births|Parker, Candace]]}}
[[Category:African1986 American basketball players|Parker, Candacebirths]]
[[Category:AmericanLiving basketball players|Parker, Candacepeople]]
[[Category:Living21st-century people|Parker,American Candacesportswomen]]
[[Category:People21st-century fromAmerican Illinois|Parker,LGBTQ Candacepeople]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportswomen]]
[[Category:Tennessee Lady Vols basketball players|Parker, Candace]]
[[Category:McDonaldAll-American college women's High School All-Americans|Parker,basketball Candaceplayers]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in China]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Russia]]
[[Category:American women's basketball players]]
[[Category:American bisexual sportspeople]]
[[Category:American bisexual women]]
[[Category:Angel City FC owners]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players from St. Louis]]
[[Category:Bisexual sportswomen]]
[[Category:Bleacher Report people]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Chicago Sky players]]
[[Category:Fenerbahçe women's basketball players]]
[[Category:Guangdong Vermilion Birds players]]
[[Category:Las Vegas Aces players]]
[[Category:LGBTQ basketball players]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Illinois]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Sparks draft picks]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Sparks players]]
[[Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball)]]
[[Category:Power forwards]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Naperville, Illinois]]
[[Category:Basketball players from DuPage County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball players]]
[[Category:United States women's national basketball team players]]
[[Category:WNBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:First overall WNBA draft picks]]
[[Category:Xinjiang Magic Deer players]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ sportswomen]]
[[Category:Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year winners]]
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