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Line 91: '''Candace Nicole Parker''' (born April 19, 1986), nicknamed "'''Ace'''",<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Creative \|first=Paradowski \|title=Adidas \|url=https://paradowski.com/work/adidas-ar-experience \|access-date=2023-01-31 \|website=Paradowski Creative \|language=en}}</ref> is an American former professional [[basketball]] player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest [[WNBA]] players of all time,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2021-09-21 \|title=Ranking the 25 greatest players in WNBA history \|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32210623/wnba-greatest-players-all-ranking-25-best-league-history \|access-date=2023-01-31 \|website=ESPN.com \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Singh \|first=Abhishek \|date=January 31, 2022 \|title=Top 10 Greatest WNBA Players of all Time \|url=https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Basketball/Greatest-WNBA-Players-of-all-Time/3653 \|access-date=2023-01-31 \|website=Chase Your Sport \|language=en}}</ref> she was selected as the first overall pick in the [[2008 WNBA draft]] by the [[Los Angeles Sparks]].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=2008 WNBA Draft \|url=https://www.wnba.com/draft2008/ \|access-date=2021-12-22 \|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA \|language=en}}</ref> She spent 13 seasons on the Sparks, two seasons with the [[Chicago Sky]], and one season with the [[Las Vegas Aces]], winning a championship with each team. A versatile player, Parker mainly played the forward and center positions. In high school, Parker won the 2003 and 2004 Gatorade ~~Female~~National Girls Basketball Player of the Year awards, becoming just the second junior and the only woman to receive a [[Gatorade Player of the Year awards#Basketball\|Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year award]] twice. As a college player for [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball\|Tennessee]], she led the team to two consecutive national championships ([[2007 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament\|2007]], [[2008 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament\|2008]]), was named the Final Four's most outstanding player in both occasions and was a two-time consensus [[John R. Wooden Award\|national player of the year]]. As a [[redshirt freshman]], she became the first woman to [[slam dunk\|dunk]] in an [[NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship\|NCAA tournament]] game and the first woman to dunk twice in a college game.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.wnba.com/news/overseas_0809.html \|title=Offseason 2008-09: Overseas Roster \|publisher=Wnba.com \|date=January 8, 2009}}</ref> After being selected in the WNBA Draft, Parker signed long-term endorsement deals with [[Adidas]] and [[Gatorade]].<ref>{{cite web \|last=Rovell \|first=Darren \|date=April 22, 2008 \|title=Parker Signs With Adidas and Gatorade \|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/24248609 \|url-status=live \|website=CNBC \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718221039/http://www.cnbc.com/id/24248609 \|archive-date=July 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/04/Issue-147/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Candace-Parker-Signs-Endorsements-With-Gatorade-Adidas.aspx \|title=Candace Parker Signs Endorsements With Gatorade, Adidas \|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com \|access-date=November 27, 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105145339/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/04/Issue-147/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Candace-Parker-Signs-Endorsements-With-Gatorade-Adidas.aspx \|archive-date=January 5, 2018 \|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to win their first [[2016 WNBA Finals\|WNBA Finals]] title since 2002 and won the [[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award\|WNBA Finals MVP Award]]. In 2021, she helped the Sky win their [[2021 WNBA Finals\|first title]]. Parker won two [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award]]s ([[2008 WNBA season\|2008]], [[2013 WNBA season\|2013]]), a [[WNBA All-Star Game MVP\|WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award]] ([[2013 WNBA All-Star Game\|2013]]), two [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics\|Olympic gold medals]] ([[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's team rosters\|2008]], [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's team rosters\|2012]]), and the [[WNBA Rookie of the Year Award]] ([[2008 WNBA season\|2008]]). She got selected to six [[All-WNBA Team\|All-WNBA teams]] and five [[WNBA All-Star Game\|All-Star]] teams, and was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and the MVP awards in the same season.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2008-10-03 \|title=Sparks' Parker wins MVP, rookie of year honors \|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/news/story?id=3623772 \|access-date=2021-10-17 \|website=ESPN.com \|language=en}}</ref> Parker became the second player to dunk in a WNBA game on June 22, 2008.<ref name="si">{{Cite news \|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/03/21/parker.draft/index.html \|title=Parker has opportunity to declare for '07 WNBA draft \|publisher=Sports Illustrated \|date=March 22, 2007 \|access-date=March 28, 2007 \|archive-date=October 26, 2012 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026105429/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/03/21/parker.draft/index.html \|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="sbee">{{cite news \|last=Gutierrez \|first=Melody \|title=College stars boost WNBA draft suspense \|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee \|date=April 2, 2007 \|url=http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/147890.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207023940/http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/147890.html \|archive-date=February 7, 2008 \|access-date=April 4, 2007}}</ref> Line 174: In February 2017, Parker signed a multi-year contract extension with the Sparks.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/two-time-wnba-mvp-candace-parker-extends-contract-los-angeles-sparks/\|title=Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker Extends Contract with Los Angeles Sparks\|website=Los Angeles Sparks}}</ref> During the 2017 season, Parker was voted into the [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her fourth all-star nomination. On July 28, 2017, Parker became the sixth player in league history to record a triple-double in an 85–73 win over the [[San Antonio Stars]] as she scored 11 points, tied her career-high of 17 rebounds along with a career-high 11 assists.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2724452-candace-parker-becomes-6th-player-in-wnba-history-with-triple-double\|title=Candace Parker Becomes 6th Player in WNBA History with Triple-Double\|first=Adam\|last=Wells\|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> She would finish the season averaging 16.9 points per game, as the Sparks repeated the same regular season success as last year as the number 2 seed in the league with a 26–8 record, receiving a double-bye to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, the Sparks defeated the Phoenix Mercury in a 3-game sweep. The series ended on a game-winning layup by Parker with 2.9 seconds left in Game 3, putting the Sparks up 89–87 as they advanced to the WNBA Finals for the second season in a row, setting up a rematch with the Minnesota Lynx.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/9/17/16323632/wnba-sparks-mercury-candance-parker-game-winner-diana-taurasi-finals-2017-rematch\|title=Candace Parker's game-winner sends Sparks to WNBA Finals again\|first=Tim\|last=Cato\|date=September 17, 2017\|website=SBNation.com}}</ref> In Game 3 of the [[2017 WNBA Finals]], Parker set the record for most steals in a Finals game with 5 steals along with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in a 75–64 win, putting the Sparks up 2–1 in the series.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.wnba.com/video/candace-parker-with-5-steals-against-the-lynx\|title=Video - WNBA.com\|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> However, the Sparks would lose the next two games, failing to win back-to-back championships as they lost to the Lynx in five games.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=WNBA Playoffs 2017 - WNBA \|url=https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2017 \|access-date=2024-02-29 \|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> On July 10, 2018, Parker made history with a stat line of 21 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks in a 77–75 overtime victory against the Seattle Storm, making her the first player in WNBA history to achieve such a stat line.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2018/07/10/sparks-edge-storm-in-overtime-thriller/\|title=Sparks edge Storm in overtime thriller\|~~first~~agency=~~The~~ Associated Press\|~~last~~website=~~Press~~[[Los Angeles Daily News]] \|date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On July 15, 2018, Parker scored a season-high 34 points along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists in a 99–78 victory over the [[Las Vegas Aces]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2018/07/15/parker-scores-34-to-lead-sparks-in-99-78-win-over-aces/36898603/\|title=Parker scores 34 to lead Sparks in 99-78 win over Aces\|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> On July 19, 2018, Parker was voted into the [[2018 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her fifth all-star nomination.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/rosters-set-for-team-delle-donne-vs-team-parker-at-verizon-wnba-all-star-2018\|title=Rosters Set For Team Delle Donne vs. Team Parker at Verizon WNBA All-Star 2018 - WNBA\|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> Parker finished off the season, averaging 17.9 ppg and the Sparks finished as the number 6 seed with a 19–15 record. In the first-round elimination game, they faced the rival Minnesota Lynx, in which they won 75–68 to advance to the second round.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|title=WNBA Playoffs 2018 - WNBA \|url=https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2018 \|access-date=2024-02-29 \|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> In the second-round elimination game, the Sparks lost 96–64 to the Washington Mystics, ending their run of two consecutive finals appearances.<ref name=":3" /> In May 2019, Parker suffered a hamstring injury during the Sparks' first preseason game and was ruled out 3–5 weeks.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://highposthoops.com/2019/05/14/candace-parker-3-5-weeks-injury-hamstring/\|title=Los Angeles Sparks to be without Candace Parker for 3-5 weeks\|date=May 14, 2019\|website=High Post Hoops}}</ref> Parker made her season debut on June 18, 2019, she scored 3 points on 1-of-9 shooting from the field in an 81–52 loss to the Washington Mystics.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sparks-mystics-20190618-story.html\|title=Candace Parker's return is spoiled in Sparks' lopsided loss to Mystics\|date=June 19, 2019\|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On August 4, 2019, Parker scored a season-high 21 points in an 83–75 victory over the Seattle Storm.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-08-04/sparks-storm-wnba-candace-parker\|title=Candace Parker's season high helps Sparks beat Storm\|date=August 4, 2019\|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On September 3, 2019, Parker tied her season-high of 21 points in a 70–60 victory over the Atlanta Dream.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Sparks overcome sluggish start with star power in victory over Dream \|date=2019-09-04 \|website=[[Los Angeles Times]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419231349/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-09-03/sparks-dream-victory-candace-parker-chelsea-gray \|archive-date=2023-04-19 \|url-status=live \|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-09-03/sparks-dream-victory-candace-parker-chelsea-gray}}</ref> The Sparks ended up finishing as the number 3 seed with a 22–12 record, receiving a bye to the second round. In the second-round elimination game, the Sparks defeated the defending champions Seattle Storm 92–69. However, in the semi-finals, the Sparks were eliminated in a three-game sweep by the [[Connecticut Sun]].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=WNBA Playoffs 2019 - WNBA \|url=https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/wnba-playoffs-2019 \|access-date=2024-02-29 \|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> Line 183: ====2021: Second championship==== In 2021, Parker became an unrestricted free agent. She chose to leave the Sparks after 13 seasons, signing a 2-year deal with the [[Chicago Sky]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky-and-wnba/2021/2/1/22260134/candace-parker-signs-2-year-deal-with-sky-im-home\|title=Candace Parker signs 2-year deal with Sky: ~~‘I’m~~'I'm ~~home’~~home'\|date=February 1, 2021\|website=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> The move to the Sky gave her the opportunity to play a little closer to home and compete for another championship. Parker stated "Chicago is where my family raised me; where I first learned the game of basketball; and where I first fell in love with this orange ball.....I am excited to continue the next chapter of my career where it all began. To my new teammates, my new organization, and my new fans: I'm home."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Collier \|first=Jamal \|date=February 1, 2021 \|title=Candace Parker officially signs with the Chicago Sky — making them an instant favorite for the WNBA title: 'Nobody has ever signed a free agent like this' \|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sky/ct-chicago-sky-candace-parker-james-wade-20210201-zqmcggzlofggflu2fpzpfgfosm-story.html \|url-status=live \|access-date=2021-03-20 \|website=Chicago Tribune \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201214028/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sky/ct-chicago-sky-candace-parker-james-wade-20210201-zqmcggzlofggflu2fpzpfgfosm-story.html \|archive-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> During the season, Parker was named to [[The W25]], consisting of the 25 players considered by a panel of media and pioneering women's basketball figures to have been the best and most influential in the league's 25 seasons.<ref>{{cite press release \|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ \|title=WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25" \|publisher=WNBA \|date=September 5, 2021 \|accessdate=October 18, 2021}}</ref> The regular season ended with Parker and the Sky earning the #6 seed in that season's playoffs. They won two single elimination games, followed by an upset of the [[Connecticut Sun]] in the semifinals, before beating the [[Phoenix Mercury]] to win the [[2021 WNBA Finals]]. Line 331: \| style="text-align:left;"\| [[2013 WNBA season\|2013]] \| style="text-align:left;"\| [[2013 Los Angeles Sparks season\|Los Angeles]] \| 31 \|\| 31 \|\| 28134.725 \|\| .493 \|\| .257 \|\| .762 \|\| 8.7 \|\| 3.8 \|\| 1.2 \|\| 1.8 \|\| 17.9 \|- \| style="text-align:left;"\| [[2014 WNBA season\|2014]] Line 561: [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century American sportswomen]] ~~[[Category:21st-century African-American sportspeople]]~~ [[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]] [[Category:21st-century African-American sportswomen]]