History of Candace Parker in Timeline

Candace Parker, nicknamed "Ace", is an American former professional basketball player considered one of the greatest in WNBA history. Drafted first overall in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks, she played 13 seasons with them before joining the Chicago Sky for two seasons and later the Las Vegas Aces for one season. Notably, Parker won a WNBA championship with each of these three teams, showcasing her consistent excellence and impact.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 19, 1986: Candace Parker's Birth

On April 19, 1986, Candace Nicole Parker, nicknamed "Ace", was born. She is now regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time.

Others born on this day/year

November 11, 2003: Commitment to Tennessee on ESPNEWS

On November 11, 2003, Candace Parker announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on ESPNEWS, becoming the first women's player to announce such a commitment live on the network.

Loading Video...

2003: Class AA State Title

In 2003, Candace Parker led her high school basketball team to a Class AA state title.

2003: Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year Award

In 2003, Candace Parker won the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award, becoming only the second junior to receive this honor.

2003: USA Today High School Player of the Year Award

In 2003, Candace Parker won the USA Today High School Player of the Year award, the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award, and the Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year Award.

March 29, 2004: Slam Dunk Contest Win at McDonald's All-American Game

On March 29, 2004, Candace Parker won the slam dunk contest at the McDonald's All-American Game, becoming the first woman to win the event.

August 2004: Gold Medal at USA Junior World Championship

In August 2004, Candace Parker led the undefeated USA Junior World Championship team to a gold medal, averaging 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. She also had a relapse of knee pain and required surgery on her left knee during training.

2004: Second Class AA State Title

In 2004, Candace Parker led her high school basketball team to a Class AA state title.

2004: Second Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year Award

In 2004, Candace Parker won the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year, becoming the only woman to ever receive the award twice.

2004: Second USA Today High School Player of the Year Award

In 2004, Candace Parker won the USA Today High School Player of the Year award for the second time, and she was named Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, WBCA All-American, and McDonald's All-American.

2004: Entered University of Tennessee

In the fall of 2004, Candace Parker entered the University of Tennessee.

February 17, 2005: Redshirted First Season Due to Knee Injury

On February 17, 2005, Tennessee announced that Candace Parker would redshirt her first season due to a knee injury she sustained in a summer league game.

March 19, 2006: First Woman to Dunk in NCAA Tournament Game

On March 19, 2006, in an NCAA tournament game against Army, Candace Parker became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, and then the first woman to dunk twice in the same game.

2006: Named to USA Squad for FIBA World Championship

In 2006, Candace Parker was the only college player named to the USA squad for the FIBA World Championship for Women in Brazil, where the team finished third.

January 28, 2007: Fastest Lady Vol to 1,000 Career Points

On January 28, 2007, during her sophomore season, Candace Parker became the fastest player in Lady Vols history to score 1,000 career points, achieving the record in 56 games.

April 3, 2007: Led Lady Vols to National Championship

On April 3, 2007, Candace Parker led the Lady Vols to their first national championship since 1998, defeating Rutgers. She scored 17 points and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

May 7, 2007: Named to People's 100 Most Beautiful People

On May 7, 2007, Candace Parker was named to People Magazine's 100 World's Most Beautiful people list.

December 2007: Academic All-American of the Year

As of December 2007, Candace Parker, a sports management major with a 3.35 GPA, was named University Division I Academic All-American of the Year in women's basketball by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

February 21, 2008: Announced Forgoing Final Season for Olympics and Professional Career

On February 21, 2008, Candace Parker announced that she would forgo her final season of eligibility at Tennessee to focus on the 2008 Olympics and pursue a professional career in basketball.

April 8, 2008: Led Lady Vols to Second Consecutive NCAA Title

On April 8, 2008, despite a dislocated shoulder, Candace Parker led the Lady Vols to their second straight NCAA women's title and was named the Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive tournament.

April 9, 2008: Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

On April 9, 2008, one day after winning the NCAA title, Candace Parker was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

May 2008: Graduation

In May 2008, Candace Parker graduated with her incoming class from the University of Tennessee.

May 17, 2008: Record-Breaking Debut Game

On May 17, 2008, in her debut game against the Phoenix Mercury, Candace Parker scored 34 points, had 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, breaking the record for a rookie in a debut game.

May 28, 2008: First WNBA Player with a 5x5 Stat Line

On May 28, 2008, Candace Parker became the first woman in WNBA history to post a 5x5 stat line with 16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists, and 5 steals.

June 22, 2008: Second WNBA Player to Dunk

On June 22, 2008, Candace Parker became the second player in WNBA history to dunk during a regulation game.

June 24, 2008: First WNBA Player to Dunk Twice in Career

On June 24, 2008, Candace Parker became the first player to dunk twice in their WNBA career during a regulation game against the Seattle Storm.

July 9, 2008: Career-High 40 Points

On July 9, 2008, Candace Parker scored a career-high 40 points, along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists, in an 82–74 overtime win against the Houston Comets.

July 2008: Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month

In July 2008, Candace Parker was named the Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month.

July 21, 2008: Suspension in Sparks-Shock Brawl

On July 21, 2008, Candace Parker was one of 11 people suspended in the Sparks-Shock brawl.

August 2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In August 2008, Candace Parker won an Olympic gold medal with the US team, averaging 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

October 3, 2008: Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards

On October 3, 2008, Candace Parker became the first WNBA player to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player awards in the same season.

November 13, 2008: Marriage to Shelden Williams

On November 13, 2008, Candace Parker married Shelden Williams, who played college basketball at Duke University and in the NBA.

July 5, 2009: Return from Maternity Leave

On July 5, 2009, Candace Parker returned to play after maternity leave.

2009: Birth of Daughter Lailaa Nicole Williams

In 2009, Candace Parker and Shelden Williams welcomed their daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams.

2010: Sidelined with Shoulder Injury

In 2010, Candace Parker only played 10 games and was sidelined for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.

2011: Torn Meniscus and All-Star Selection

In 2011, Candace Parker suffered a torn meniscus in her right knee after playing six games, causing her to miss the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game, despite having been voted as an All-Star.

2012: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Candace Parker won an Olympic gold medal.

2012: Playoff Loss to Minnesota Lynx

In 2012, after re-signing with the Sparks, Candace Parker helped her team reach the playoffs. The Sparks lost to the Minnesota Lynx in the Western Conference Finals, despite Parker's strong performance in game two.

2013: Home Purchase in Encino, Los Angeles

In 2013, Candace Parker and Shelden Williams purchased a 7,000-square-foot home in Encino, Los Angeles, for $3.56 million.

2013: WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award

In 2013, Candace Parker won the WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award.

November 2016: Divorce from Shelden Williams

In November 2016, Candace Parker and Shelden Williams split up after eight years of marriage when Williams filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences".

2016: WNBA Finals Title and MVP

In 2016, Candace Parker led the Sparks to win their first WNBA Finals title since 2002 and was named the WNBA Finals MVP.

2018: Analyst and Commentator for NBA on TNT

In 2018, Candace Parker started working as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT broadcasts of Tuesday games during the 2018–19 NBA season.

Loading Video...

2019: Marriage to Anna Petrakova

In 2019, Candace Parker married Anna Petrakova.

2019: Multi-Year Extension with Turner Sports

In 2019, Candace Parker signed a multi-year extension with Turner Sports to work as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT, NBA TV, and NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS Sports.

Loading Video...

October 2020: Part Ownership of Angel City FC

In October 2020, Candace 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.