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 one of the WNBA's all-time greats. Drafted first overall in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks, where she played for 13 seasons, she later won championships with the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. Her career is marked by success and championships with multiple teams in the WNBA.

Sections (4)

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

December 27, 2001: First Dunk in Competition

On December 27, 2001, 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: Sparks Last Championship

In 2016, Candace Parker led the Sparks to their first championship since 2002.

2003: Class AA State Title in High School

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

2003: Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year

In 2003, Parker won the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.

2003: Sparks Advanced to the WNBA Finals

In 2016, the Sparks advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2003.

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

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

August 2004: Led USA Junior World Championship team to gold medal

In August 2004, Parker led the 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.

2004: Second Class AA State Title

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

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

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

2005: Started for Tennessee Lady Vols

In 2005, Parker started for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

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

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

2006: FIBA World Championship for Women

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

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

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

February 21, 2008: Announcement to Forgo Final Season at Tennessee

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

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

On April 8, 2008, Parker led the Lady Vols to their second straight NCAA women's title, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player honor for the second consecutive time.

April 9, 2008: Selected First Pick in WNBA Draft

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

May 17, 2008: Debut Game Against Phoenix Mercury

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

May 28, 2008: First 5x5 Stat Line in WNBA History

On May 28, 2008, Parker posted 16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists, and 5 steals, becoming the only woman in WNBA history to post a 5x5 stat line.

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 Player to Dunk Twice in WNBA Career

On June 24, 2008, 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, Parker scored a career-high 40 points, along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists, in an 82–74 overtime win against the Houston Comets.

August 2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In August 2008, Parker won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics with the US team, averaging 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

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

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

2008: Drafted into WNBA

In 2008, Candace Parker was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

2008: Brand Partnership with Adidas

Since 2008, Candace Parker had a long-running brand partnership with Adidas that included a signature sneaker line.

July 5, 2009: First Game Back from Maternity Leave

On July 5, 2009, Parker played her first game back from maternity leave.

2009: 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 step towards selection for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics.

2010: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg

From 2010 to 2015, Candace Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian League during each WNBA off-season.

2011: Best Field Goal Percentage Since 2011

During the 2020 WNBA season, Candace Parker posted a 51% field goal percentage, her best since 2011.

2012: Re-signed with Sparks and Playoff Loss

In 2012, Parker re-signed with the Sparks and helped the team reach the playoffs, but they lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Minnesota Lynx.

July 27, 2013: WNBA All-Star MVP

On July 27, 2013, Candace Parker played in her first All-Star game, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, leading the West to a comeback victory. She was named the WNBA All-Star MVP for her performance.

2015: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg

From 2010 to 2015, Candace Parker played for UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian League during each WNBA off-season.

January 2016: Signed with the Guangdong Dolphins

In January 2016, during the 2015-16 WNBA off-season, Candace Parker signed with the Guangdong Dolphins to replace Yelena Leuchanka during the WCBA playoffs.

2016: WNBA Finals Title and MVP

In 2016, Candace Parker led the Los Angeles Sparks to win their first WNBA Finals title since 2002 and won the WNBA Finals MVP Award.

2016: Won First WNBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2016, Candace Parker led the Sparks to their first championship since 2002, winning the WNBA Finals MVP. In Game 5, she scored a game-high 28 points with 12 rebounds and dedicated the win to Pat Summitt. She was also named in the WNBA Top 20@20.

2016: Re-signed with the Sparks and Pat Summitt's Death

In 2016, Candace Parker re-signed with the Sparks as an unrestricted free agent. Later that year, in 2016, Parker's college coach and mentor, Pat Summitt, passed away. Parker dedicated her season to Summitt after an emotional victory against the Dallas Wings, where she scored 31 points.

February 2017: Signed with Fenerbahçe

In February 2017, Candace Parker signed a 2-month contract with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League.

February 2017: Signed 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.

July 28, 2017: Recorded a Triple-Double

On July 28, 2017, Candace Parker achieved a triple-double in a game against the San Antonio Stars, scoring 11 points, tying her career-high of 17 rebounds, and achieving a career-high 11 assists.

December 2017: Signed with the Xinjiang Magic Deer

In December 2017, Candace Parker signed with the Xinjiang Magic Deer of the Chinese League for the 2017–18 WNBA off-season.

July 10, 2018: Achieved Unique Stat Line in WNBA History

On July 10, 2018, Candace Parker made history with 21 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in an overtime victory against the Seattle Storm, becoming the first WNBA player to achieve such a stat line.

July 15, 2018: Scored Season-High 34 Points

On July 15, 2018, Candace Parker scored a season-high 34 points, along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists, in a victory over the Las Vegas Aces.

July 19, 2018: Fifth WNBA All-Star Nomination

On July 19, 2018, Candace Parker was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, earning her fifth all-star nomination.

2018: Analyst and Commentator for Turner Sports

In 2018, Candace Parker started working as an analyst and commentator for Turner Sports during the 2018-19 NBA season. Her primary role was on Tuesday night NBA games under the Players Only brand.

June 18, 2019: 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: Season-High 21 Points

On August 4, 2019, Candace Parker scored a season-high 21 points in a victory over the Seattle Storm.

September 3, 2019: Tied Season-High of 21 Points

On September 3, 2019, Candace Parker tied her season-high of 21 points in a victory over the Atlanta Dream.

2019: Multi-Year Extension with Turner

In 2019, Candace Parker signed a multi-year extension with Turner to continue as an analyst and commentator. She contributed to the NBA on TNT's rebranded Tuesday coverage, NCAA Tournament coverage on TNT and CBS Sports, and joined NBA TV.

October 2020: Part of Angel City FC Ownership

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.

2020: Named Defensive Player of the Year

In the 2020 WNBA season, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Candace Parker was named Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. She led the league in rebounding and double-double performances.

2021: Signed with the Chicago Sky

In 2021, Candace Parker became an unrestricted free agent and signed a 2-year deal with the Chicago Sky after 13 seasons with the Sparks. The move allowed her to play closer to home.

2021: Won the 2021 WNBA Finals with the Chicago Sky

In 2021, Parker was named to The W25. Parker and the Sky earned the #6 seed and ultimately won the 2021 WNBA Finals, defeating the Phoenix Mercury.

2022: Angel City FC begins competing

In 2022, Angel City FC, the Los Angeles-based team co-owned by Candace Parker and her daughter, began competing in the National Women's Soccer League.

February 2023: Signed with the Las Vegas Aces

In February 2023, Candace Parker signed with the Las Vegas Aces, marking another chapter in her career.

2023: First Woman Color Commentator for NBA All-Star Game

In 2023, Candace Parker became the first woman to serve as a color commentator for an NBA All-Star Game, marking a significant milestone in her broadcasting career.

February 7, 2024: Re-signed with the Aces

On February 7, 2024, Parker re-signed with the Aces on a one-year contract, extending her time with the team.

April 28, 2024: Retirement Announcement

On April 28, 2024, Candace Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball via her Instagram account, marking the end of her illustrious playing career.

May 8, 2024: President of Women's Basketball at Adidas

On May 8, 2024, Adidas declared that Candace Parker would become the brand's president of women's basketball, expanding her role with 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.

2025: Joins Prime Video

In 2025, Parker will become a game and studio analyst for Prime Video, leading the streaming service's WNBA coverage, marking a new chapter in her broadcasting career.