Candace Parker is a professional basketball player in the WNBA who currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Parker and husband Shelden Williams welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on May 13, 2009. The baby was seven pounds, six ounces and 20 inches long.CBSSports.com: Sparks Star Parker Gives Birth to Baby Girl

Candace Parker was a distinguished player in both high school and in NCAA college basketball 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.

On December 24, 2008, Parker was selected as the Associated Press female athlete of the year. The honor was the first time in five years that a non-golfer was given the award. Golfer Lorena Ochoa came in second, one vote behind Parker.ESPN.com: Candace Parker voted AP female athlete of the year(December 24, 2008)

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.

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.

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.Los Angeles Times: Sparks' Candace parker at center of late scuffle (July 23, 2008)

• Mahalo's guide to the Los Angeles Sparks
  • Height: 6-4
  • Weight: 170
  • College: Tennessee Volunteers

• 1986: Born on April 19
• 2003: USA Today High School Player of the Year
• 2004: USA Today High School Player of the Year
• 2004: Wins Mcdonald's All-American Slam Dunk Championship
• 2006: Redshirts with Tennessee Lady Vols
• 2006: First Woman to dunk in an NCAA Collegiate Basketball Game
• 2007: NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Champion
• 2007: USBWA Player of the Year
• 2008: Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Draft

• Mahalo's guide to the Los Angeles Sparks
  • Height: 6-4
  • Weight: 170
  • College: Tennessee Volunteers

• 1986: Born on April 19

• 2003: USA Today High School Player of the Year

• 2004: USA Today High School Player of the Year

• 2004: Wins Mcdonald's All-American Slam Dunk Championship

• 2006: Redshirts with Tennessee Lady Vols

• 2006: First Woman to dunk in an NCAA Collegiate Basketball Game

• 2007: NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Champion

• 2007: USBWA Player of the Year

• 2008: Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Draft