It would be hard to dispute that Candace Parker may be the greatest Women’s basketball player to come out of Illinois. Candace earned every honor possible in leading Naperville Central to state titles in 2003 and 2004. Besides being an All-Stater and prep All-American her greatest honors were being selected Ms. Illinois Basketball in 2002, 2003 & 2004. Many remember the national headline when she dunked in game competition. Candace also won the slam-dunk competition against the boys in the 2004 McDonald’s All-American game. When her prep career concluded Parker scored 2,768 points (23 ppg.) and had 1,592 rebounds (13.2 rpg.).
Candace played for the University of Tennessee where she was a 3-time All-American and led the Volunteers to NCAA Titles in 2007 & 2008. Entering the WNBA draft Candace was the first player drafted. She earned Rookie of the Year, 2 league MVP’s, 1 WNBA Finals MVP, 1 WNBA All-Star Game MVP and played on 2 WNBA Championship Teams. Parker also played on 2 Olympic Gold Medal Teams. In 2021 Candace helped lead the Chicago Sky to their first WNBA Title. Candace is a Grand Slam Player twice over winning state titles, NCAA championships, Olympic gold medals and WNBA Crowns.
***Story and photo courtesy of IBCA.com***
