Guide Note
Candace Parker is a professional basketball player in the WNBA who currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. She was a distinguished player in both high school and in the NCAA basketball league while enrolled at the University of Tennessee. When Parker joined the WNBA in 2008, she was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft and went on to win the WNBA's Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.
Fast Facts
- Born: April 19, 1986
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 172 lbs1
- Currently plays in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks
- Won numerous basketball awards during high school2
- Played for the University of Tennessee
- First woman to slam dunk twice in an NCAA Tournament Game2
- Picked #1 overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft
- Second player ever to slam dunk during an WNBA game (preceded by Lisa Leslie)
- Brother Anthony Parker plays for the NBA's Toronto Raptors
- Engaged to NBA player Shelden Williams3
- Helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics4
High School Career
Parker gained the attention of the basketball community during her high school career. She was selected by USA Today as the High School Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. In 2004, she was the first woman ever to win the Slam Dunk Contest at the McDonald's All-American Game.
College Career
Parker enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where she played for the Tennessee Lady Vols. While on the team, the Lady Vols would win back-to-back NCAA Women's Basketball Championships in 2007 and 2008.
2008 WNBA Fight and Ejection
On July 22, 2008, members of the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock began fighting on the court with seconds left in the game. Parker and Shock player Lynette Pierson tripped each other after a free throw, and soon began to fight with one another. The altercation expanded to include multiple players and the Shock's assistant coach, Rick Mahorn. Eventually, Parker, Pierson, Mahorn and the Shock's DeLisha Milton-Jones were ejected from the game.5
Related Pages on Mahalo
WNBA | Los Angeles Sparks | University of Tennessee | US Women's National Basketball Team | Lisa Leslie | Tennessee Women's Basketball | Josh Smith | LeBron James | Vince Carter | Kobe Bryant | Maria Sharapova | Laila Ali | Serena Williams | Venus Williams | Jennie Finch | Danica Patrick | Amanda Beard | WNBA Draft | WNBA Playoffs | WNBA Finals
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