Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Candace Parker
How Candace Parker built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Candace Parker, nicknamed "Ace", is a retired American professional basketball player considered among the WNBA's all-time greats. Drafted first overall in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks, she played 13 seasons with them. She further played two seasons with the Chicago Sky, and one season with the Las Vegas Aces. Notably, Parker won a WNBA championship with each of these three teams, a testament to her impact and skill.
December 27, 2001: First Dunk in Competition
On December 27, 2001, Candace Parker dunked for the first time in competition as a 15-year-old sophomore at Naperville Central High School. This is believed to be the first slam dunk by a female athlete in Illinois.
2002: Last WNBA Title for Sparks Before 2016
Candace Parker led the Sparks to their first WNBA Finals title since 2002 in 2016.
August 2004: Parker Wins Gold Medal at FIBA Americas Championship
In August 2004, Candace Parker and the USA Women's U18 team won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, with Parker leading the team in scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game.
2005: Lady Vols Season
Candace Parker started for the Tennessee Lady Vols during the 2005–06 season.
March 19, 2006: First Woman to Dunk in NCAA Tournament Game
On March 19, 2006, in an NCAA tournament first-round 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 an NCAA tournament game.
2006: FIBA World Championship for Women
In 2006, Candace Parker was the only college player named to the USA squad for the FIBA World Championship for Women in Brazil. The USA squad finished in third place.
February 21, 2008: Announcement to Forgo Final Season
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 9, 2008: Drafted #1 Overall to Los Angeles Sparks
On April 9, 2008, Candace Parker was selected as the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
May 17, 2008: WNBA Debut
On May 17, 2008, in her debut game against the Phoenix Mercury, Candace Parker scored 34 points, had 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Her 34 points broke the record for a rookie in a debut game.
June 22, 2008: Second WNBA Dunk
On June 22, 2008, Candace Parker became the second player to dunk in a WNBA game.
June 24, 2008: First to Dunk Twice in WNBA 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 in 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.
2008: Parker Wins First Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Candace Parker played for Team USA and won her first gold medal at the Olympics, as the USA beat Australia 92–65.
2008: Drafted #1 Overall to Los Angeles Sparks
In 2008, Candace Parker was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
2008: Parker Partners With Adidas
In 2008, Parker began a long-running brand partnership with Adidas, that included a signature sneaker line.
2009: Parker Invited to USA Basketball Training Camp
In the fall of 2009, Candace Parker was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp, a key step towards selection for future international competitions.
2010: Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg
In 2010, Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian League
2011: Parker posted a 51% field goal percentage
In 2011, Parker last posted a 51% field goal percentage before achieving it again in 2020, marking a return to form.
2012: Parker Wins Second Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Candace Parker played for Team USA at the Summer Olympics. She led the team in rebounds and blocks, helping them win another gold medal, defeating France 86–50 in the gold medal game.
2015: Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg
In 2015, Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian League, winning five consecutive championships with the team.
January 2016: Parker Signed with the Guangdong Dolphins
In January 2016, Parker signed with the Guangdong Dolphins in January 2016, to replace Yelena Leuchanka during the WCBA playoffs.
2016: Parker Re-signs with Sparks and Dedicates Season to Pat Summitt
In 2016, Candace Parker re-signed with the Sparks as an unrestricted free agent. Later that year, Parker's college coach, Pat Summitt, passed away, and Parker dedicated her season to her mentor. The Sparks finished with a 26-8 record, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2003.
2016: Parker wins first Championship and Finals MVP
In 2016, Candace Parker won her first WNBA championship with the Sparks, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling Game 5. Parker also won the Finals MVP award. She dedicated the championship win in honor of Pat Summitt. Also in 2016, Parker was named in the WNBA Top 20@20, a list of the league's best 20 players ever.
February 2017: Parker Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Sparks
In February 2017, Candace Parker signed a multi-year contract extension with the Sparks, securing her future with the team.
February 2017: Parker signed a 2-month contract with Fenerbahçe
In February 2017, Parker signed a 2-month contract with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League.
July 28, 2017: Parker Records Triple-Double Against San Antonio Stars
On July 28, 2017, Candace Parker recorded a triple-double in an 85–73 win over the San Antonio Stars, scoring 11 points, tying her career-high of 17 rebounds along with a career-high 11 assists, becoming the sixth player in league history to achieve this.
December 2017: Parker signed with the Xinjiang Magic Deer
In December 2017, Parker signed with the Xinjiang Magic Deer of the Chinese League for the 2017–18 WNBA off-season.
July 10, 2018: Parker Achieves Unique Stat Line in Overtime Victory
On July 10, 2018, Candace Parker achieved a historic stat line of 21 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in a 77–75 overtime victory against the Seattle Storm, becoming the first player in WNBA history to reach such numbers.
July 15, 2018: Parker Scores Season-High 34 Points Against Las Vegas Aces
On July 15, 2018, Candace Parker scored a season-high 34 points along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists in a 99–78 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
2018: Parker Begins Analyst Role for NBA on TNT
In 2018, Candace Parker began serving as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT broadcasts of Tuesday games during the 2018–19 NBA season, expanding her career into sports media.
2018: Analyst and Commentator for TNT Sports
Since 2018, Candace Parker has worked as an analyst and commentator for TNT Sports, covering NBA games on TNT and NBA TV, and the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
June 18, 2019: Parker Makes Season Debut
On June 18, 2019, Candace Parker made her season debut, scoring 3 points in a loss to the Washington Mystics.
August 4, 2019: Parker Scores Season-High Against Seattle Storm
On August 4, 2019, Candace Parker scored a season-high 21 points in a victory over the Seattle Storm.
2019: Parker Signs Multi-Year Extension with Turner Sports
In 2019, Candace Parker signed a multi-year extension with Turner Sports to be an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT, NBA TV, and NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS Sports.
October 2020: Parker Becomes Part of Angel City FC Ownership Group
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.
2021: Parker and the Sky win the 2021 WNBA Finals
In 2021, Parker was named to The W25. The regular season ended with Parker and the Sky earning the #6 seed in that season's playoffs. They beat the Phoenix Mercury to win the 2021 WNBA Finals.
February 2023: Parker signs with the Las Vegas Aces
In February 2023, Parker signed with the Las Vegas Aces, marking another chapter in her WNBA career.
2023: Parker Became The First Woman Color Commentator
In 2023, Parker became the first woman color commentator for an NBA All-Star Game, marking a historic moment in sports broadcasting.
February 7, 2024: Parker Re-Signs With The Aces
On February 7, 2024, Candace Parker re-signed with the Aces on a one-year contract, continuing her WNBA career.
April 28, 2024: Parker Announces Retirement From Professional Basketball
On April 28, 2024, Candace Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball, marking the end of her remarkable playing career.
May 8, 2024: Parker Appointed President of Women's Basketball at Adidas
On May 8, 2024, Adidas declared that Parker would become the brand's president of women's basketball, transitioning into a leadership role within the company.
2024: President of Adidas Women's Basketball
Following her retirement in the spring of 2024, Candace Parker was named president of Adidas women's basketball.
