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 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

1997: Cynthia Cooper's Rookie Debut Record

In 1997, Cynthia Cooper set the record for most points in a rookie debut game with 25 points, before Parker broke the record in 2008.

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: Illinois Player of the Year

In 2002, Candace Parker was a consensus pick as player of the year in Illinois.

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: USA Today High School Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year

In 2003, 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: 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: Won Gold Medal at FIBA Americas Championship

In August 2004, Candace Parker, as a member of the USA Women's U18 team, won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, defeating Puerto Rico in the final. Parker was the team's leading scorer, averaging 16.6 points per game.

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.

2004: Awards in 2004

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

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.

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.

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

On May 7, 2007, Candace Parker was named one of People magazine's 100 World's Most Beautiful People.

2007: National Championship with Tennessee

In 2007, as a college player for Tennessee, Parker led the team to a national championship and was named the Final Four's most outstanding player.

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.

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.

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

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

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: First Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Candace Parker played for Team USA and won her first gold medal as the USA defeated Australia 92–65.

2008: Second National Championship with Tennessee

In 2008, Parker led Tennessee to their second consecutive national championship, and was named the Final Four's most outstanding player for the second time.

2012: Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Candace Parker played for Team USA at the Summer Olympics, leading the team in rebounds and blocks, and helping them secure another gold medal by defeating France 86–50.

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.

2013: WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award and WNBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2013, Parker won a WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award and a WNBA Most Valuable Player Award.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.