Candace Nicole Parker (born April 19, 1986), nicknamed “Ace,” is a former American professional basketball player. Regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, she was the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Parker won three championships, one with each team she played for: the Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces. She won two MVP Awards and two Olympic gold medals. Since 2018, Parker has been an analyst for TNT Sports, and in 2024, became president of Adidas women’s basketball.
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Candace Parker Net Worth
Candace Parker has a net worth of $8 million. From 2008 to 2016, she was married to former NBA player Shelden Williams, with whom she has a daughter. Shelden earned $12 million in total salary during his NBA career.
Candace earned around $1 million in the WNBA, but earned significantly more playing overseas for teams like UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia. Her overseas contracts paid 10–20 times what she earned in the WNBA, making them her primary income source.
Early life
Candace Parker was born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri. She has two older brothers, including former NBA player Anthony Parker. The family moved to Naperville, Illinois when Candace was two.
Her father, Larry Parker, played basketball at Joliet West HS and the University of Iowa. Although initially focused on soccer, Candace began playing competitive basketball in eighth grade, encouraged by her family. Her father helped coach and challenge her, pushing her to improve her game and work harder.
Career
Candace Parker’s basketball excellence extended internationally, representing the United States in multiple Olympic competitions. She helped the U.S. women’s teams win gold medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Her versatility, basketball IQ, and ability to perform under pressure made her an invaluable asset.
Parker also played overseas during WNBA off-seasons in Russia and China, enhancing her game and promoting women’s basketball globally. In her media career, Parker became a respected NBA analyst for TNT and NBA TV, breaking barriers as a woman in men’s basketball broadcasting.
Personal life
On May 7, 2007, People named Candace Parker to its 100 World’s Most Beautiful People list. On November 13, 2008, she married Shelden Williams, a former Duke University basketball player and NBA player. They have a daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, born in 2009.
In 2013, they bought a 7,000-square-foot home in Encino, Los Angeles. The couple divorced in 2016. In October 2020, Parker and her daughter joined the ownership group of Angel City FC. Parker married Anna Petrakova in 2019, and they have two sons: Airr Larry and Hartt Summitt.
How many rings does Candace Parker have?
Candace Parker has three championships in the WNBA. She was a high school star, a Tennessee Lady Vols legend, and a two-time MVP. Over the past two decades, she has been one of the biggest names in basketball.
Conclusion
Candace Parker’s journey in basketball has been nothing short of phenomenal. Her achievements in the sport have not only earned her fame and respect but have also resulted in considerable financial success, making her one of the wealthiest athletes in women’s basketball.
FAQs about Candace Parker
- What records has Candace Parker set in her career?
- Parker has set numerous records, including the highest points in a rookie WNBA game.
- Has Candace Parker won any Olympic medals?
- Yes, she won a gold medal with the U.S. team in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- What teams has Candace Parker played for?
- She has played for the Los Angeles Sparks, UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, and the Las Vegas Aces.
- What honors has Candace Parker received in her career?
- Parker has received numerous awards, including WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year.
- Is Candace Parker involved in any philanthropic activities?
- Information about her involvement in community initiatives and philanthropy.
