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 greatest. Drafted first overall in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks, she played 13 seasons with them before joining the Chicago Sky and later the Las Vegas Aces. Notably, she won a WNBA championship with each of these three teams, cementing her legacy as a dominant and successful player.

Sections (4)

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

1997: Cynthia Cooper's Debut Record

In 1997, Cynthia Cooper previously held the record for most points by a rookie in a debut game with 25 points. Parker broke this record on May 17, 2008 with 34 points.

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, believed to be the first slam dunk by a female athlete in Illinois.

2002: Consensus Pick as Player of the Year

In 2002, Candace Parker was a consensus pick as player of the year in Illinois and a four-year member of the All-State first team.

2002: Sparks last championship

In 2016, the Sparks claimed their first championship since 2002.

2003: High School 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 during her high school career.

2003: USA Today High School Player of the Year Award

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 Win

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: Won 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, defeating Puerto Rico.

August 2004: Gold Medal and Knee Surgery

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

2004: Second High School Class AA State Title

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

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

In 2004, Candace Parker secured her second Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award, becoming the only woman to receive the award twice.

2004: Multiple Player of the Year Awards

In 2004, Candace Parker won several awards including USA Today High School Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award, Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year Award, 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, Candace Parker became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, and subsequently the first to dunk twice in the same game.

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

On January 28, 2007, during a game against Alabama, Candace 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 to People's 100 World's 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 had a 3.35 grade-point average and was later named University Division I Academic All-American of the Year in women's basketball for 2008.

2007: NCAA National Championship

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: Second Straight NCAA Women's Title

On April 8, 2008, Candace Parker led the Lady Vols to their second straight NCAA women's title, despite a dislocated shoulder, 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 had 34 points, 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 posted a 16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists, and 5 steals game, 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, 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 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.

August 2008: Summer Olympics Gold Medal

In August 2008, Candace Parker was selected for the US team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The US team won the gold medal with eight straight victories. Parker averaged 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.

2008: Second Consecutive NCAA National Championship

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

2008: Won first Olympic gold medal

In 2008, Candace Parker won her first gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics, defeating Australia 92–65.

2012: Won another Olympic gold medal

In 2012, Candace Parker played for Team USA at the Summer Olympics and helped them win another gold medal, defeating France 86–50.

July 27, 2013: First All-Star game and MVP award

On July 27, 2013, Candace Parker played in her first All-Star game, scoring 23 points with 11 rebounds, earning the WNBA All-Star MVP award in a win for the West team.

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

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

2015: Won championship with UMMC Ekaterinburg

By 2015, Candace Parker and her teammate, Kristi Toliver, had won five consecutive championships with UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian League during the WNBA off-season.

2016: WNBA Finals Title and MVP Award

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

2016: Won first WNBA championship and Finals MVP

In 2016, Candace Parker won her first WNBA championship with the Sparks, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in the finals and was named Finals MVP.

July 28, 2017: Recorded a triple-double

On July 28, 2017, Candace Parker recorded a triple-double in a win 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: Historic stat line against the Seattle Storm

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

July 15, 2018: Season-high 34 points against the Las Vegas Aces

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 All-Star nomination

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

August 4, 2019: Season-high 21 points against the Seattle Storm

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 21 points against the Atlanta Dream

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

2020: 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, despite being controversially left off the All-Defensive Teams.