Candace Parker: A Legendary Career That Redefined Women’s Basketball
Candace Parker is undeniably a titan in the world of women’s basketball. Born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri, she became a household name as a forward who could do it all: score, grab boards, create plays, and defend with tenacity. Over the course of her sixteen-year WNBA career, Parker made history, becoming the first player to snag championships with three different teams. She reached countless other milestones before hanging up her sneakers in April 2024.
Her basketball story began in high school at Naperville Central in Illinois, where her talent was already evident. She then took her game to the University of Tennessee, playing for the iconic Pat Summitt. There, Parker was instrumental in leading the Lady Vols to consecutive NCAA championships in 2007 and 2008, and she was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four both times.
Her college career was studded with honors: two AP Player of the Year awards, two Wooden Awards, and Naismith awards, all of which solidified her status as a leading prospect for the pros.
Entering the WNBA and Making Waves
Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA Draft, Parker’s impact was immediate and historic. During her rookie year, she averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, topping the league in rebounding. In a remarkable feat, she became the first—and still the only—player in WNBA history to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season. She also made news as the second player, after Lisa Leslie, to dunk in a WNBA game, signaling a new level of athleticism for the league.
Continued Success and Multiple MVP Awards
Even with early-career setbacks, Parker’s play never dipped. She snagged her second MVP in 2013, putting up 17.9 points and 8.7 rebounds, and also took home the All-Star Game MVP that season. Throughout her career, she was named to the All-WNBA First Team seven times, the Second Team three times, and led the league in rebounding three times (2008, 2009, 2020), blocks twice, and assists once, in 2015. In 2020, she added the Defensive Player of the Year award to her list of accolades, a testament to her all-around game.
Championships with Three Teams
Parker’s championship success is a key part of her WNBA legacy. She secured her first title with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016, earning Finals MVP honors after averaging a team-leading 17.2 points in the series against the Minnesota Lynx.
After thirteen seasons with the Sparks, she joined the Chicago Sky in 2021, and that year, she helped secure the franchise’s first championship. In 2023, playing for the Las Vegas Aces, she was part of another title-winning team, making her the first player in WNBA history to win championships with three different teams, all while dealing with injuries that limited her playing time.
Internationally, Parker also shone, representing Team USA with great success. She earned gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics, contributing significantly to teams that included other legends of the game. Her international accomplishments further established her as a global figurehead for the sport.
Retirement and Lasting Legacy
In April 2024, Parker revealed her retirement. It followed a tough recovery from foot surgery, and in an Instagram post, she admitted her heart and body had made the decision, even if her mind needed a little more time. Since then, she’s stayed connected to basketball, working in broadcasting and advocating for the sport. Her legacy is already impressive, with honors like leading the 2026 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class, alongside other greats. The Los Angeles Sparks retired her No. 3 jersey in June 2025, and the Chicago Sky did the same, a testament to her influence across different teams.
Candace Parker’s career was about more than just numbers. Her ability to adapt, her leadership, and the way she broke down barriers brought the WNBA into the spotlight and motivated countless players. As a three-time champion, two-time MVP, and a true pioneer, she’s undoubtedly one of the game’s all-time greats.