Candace Nicole Parker nicknamed “Ace”, is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, she was selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Candace Nicole Parker was born on April 19, 1986, Candace Nicole Parker is one of the most decorated female basketball players to ever put on a uniform.
As the youngest of Larry and Sara Parker’s three children, Candace grew up under her two older brothers, Marcus and former NBA player Anthony, and fell in love with the game of basketball at an early age.
Candace, who was the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, is more than just a star on the court, she is an inspiration to all those around her.
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A WNBA Champion, WNBA Finals MVP, 2x WNBA MVP, 2x Gold Medalist, and WNBA Rookie of the Year are just a few of Candace’s many accomplishments throughout her career on the court.
Off the court, Candace’s list extends just as long, ranging from being a mother to 8-year-old daughter Lailaa, to a renowned broadcaster, and inspiring role model for young women everywhere.
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A native of Naperville, Illinois, it was clear that Candace was destined for great things on the court at an early age. As a 15-year-old sophomore, Candace became a national sensation at Naperville Central High School, leading her team to back-to-back state championships in 2003 and 2004.
Chosen twice, back to back, as both the Naismith and Gatorade Prep Player of the Year, Candace took her accomplishments one step further when she won the slam dunk contest at the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game, becoming the first female to ever win the event, and beating out multiple future NBA stars, including J.R. Smith, Rudy Gay, and Josh Smith.
After leading her high school team to back-to-back Class AA state titles, and becoming the first female in the state of Illinois to dunk a basketball in a game, Candace decided to take the next step of her basketball career by committing to the University of Tennessee.
What are some interesting facts about Candace Parker?
As a Lady Vol, Candace soared. She became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA game, and the first woman to dunk twice in a single NCAA game. Also, she won the slam dunk contest at the 2004 McDonald’s High School All-America game beating several future NBA players.
She became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game in 2006.
She also won a bronze medal as part of the U.S. and Two-time national high school player of the year (2003 and 2004).
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