Candace Parker's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Candace Parker.
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.
1997: Cynthia Cooper's Debut Record
Cynthia Cooper's debut record for points scored was broken by Candace Parker in 2008.
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: Illinois Player of the Year
In 2002, Candace Parker was a consensus pick as player of the year in Illinois.
2002: Sparks Claimed Championship
In 2002, The Sparks claimed their first championship since 2002, marking a significant milestone in the team's history.
2003: High School 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
In 2003, Candace Parker won the USA Today High School Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award and Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year Award.
March 29, 2004: Slam Dunk Contest Winner
On March 29, 2004, Candace Parker became the first woman to win the slam dunk contest at the McDonald's All-American Game.
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.
August 2004: Gold Medal in USA Junior World Championship
In August 2004, Candace Parker led the undefeated USA Junior World Championship team to a gold medal. While training, Parker had a relapse of knee pain and was required to undergo surgery in her left knee.
2004: High School State Title
In 2004, Candace Parker led her high school basketball team to a Class AA state title.
2004: 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 win the award twice.
2004: USA Today High School Player of the Year
In 2004, Candace Parker won the USA Today High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year Award and Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year.
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.
January 28, 2007: Fastest Lady Vol to 1,000 Career Points
On January 28, 2007, Candace Parker became the fastest player in Lady Vols history to score 1,000 career points.
May 7, 2007: Parker Named to People's 100 World's Most Beautiful People List
On May 7, 2007, People named Candace Parker to its 100 World's Most Beautiful people list, recognizing her public image and appeal.
2007: National Championship with Tennessee
In 2007, Candace Parker led the Tennessee team to a national championship and was named the Final Four's most outstanding player.
April 8, 2008: Led Lady Vols to NCAA Title
On April 8, 2008, 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 NCAA tournament.
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.
May 28, 2008: 5x5 Stat Line
On May 28, 2008, Candace Parker became 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 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.
July 2008: Rookie of the Month
Candace Parker was named the Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month for the months of May and July 2008.
August 2008: Summer Olympics Gold Medal
In August 2008, Candace Parker was selected to the US team and won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics, averaging 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
October 3, 2008: Rookie of the Year and MVP
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.
2008: Second Consecutive National Championship with Tennessee
In 2008, Candace Parker led Tennessee to their second consecutive national championship. She was also named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player for the second time.
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.
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.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Candace Parker won an Olympic gold medal.
July 27, 2013: All-Star MVP
On July 27, 2013, Candace Parker played in her first All-Star game, scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and was named WNBA All-Star MVP.
2013: WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award
In 2013, Candace Parker won the WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award.
2013: WNBA Most Valuable Player Award
In 2013, Candace Parker won the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award.
2016: WNBA Finals Title and MVP Award
In 2016, Candace Parker led the Sparks to win their first WNBA Finals title since 2002 and was named the WNBA Finals MVP.
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.
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.
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 19, 2018: Parker Voted into 2018 WNBA All-Star Game
On July 19, 2018, Candace Parker was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, marking her fifth all-star nomination.
2020: Parker Named Defensive Player of the Year
In the 2020 season, Candace Parker was named Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. The season was shortened and took place in a bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: WNBA Title with Chicago Sky
In 2021, Candace Parker assisted the Sky to win their first title.
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.
