Candace Parker Biography

Birthdate: April 19, 1986
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri

Who says girls can't dunk? This lady baller from the University of Tennessee is going to be a household name very soon! Get the 411 on Candace!

Growing Up

Candace Parker was born into a basketball family. Her father was a college star at the University of Iowa and her older brother Anthony was a standout athlete who would go on to play in the NBA. Candace started playing ball at the age of two and never looked back. At Naperville High School in Illinois, she led her team to two state championships and was the recipient of numerous awards including being named the High School Player of the Year by Gatorade and USA Today.

McDonald's All American Game

During Candace's senior year in high school, she was named to the prestigious McDonald's All American Women's Team. Candace made history by participating in the Game's slam dunk contest, which no female had ever competed in previously. Competing against high risers like J.R. Smith and Josh Smith, Parker stole the show by doing a no-look dunk. That impressive jam, helped her become the first female to win the contest!

Tennessee

Candace's college career started off slow as she was forced to redshirt her first year due to an ACL tear. When her college career officially started in 2005-06, Candace took the NCAA by storm averaging 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. She also became the first female to dunk in a NCAA Tournament Game and the first woman to dunk twice in any game. The next season, Candace was a first team All American and the SEC Player of the Year.

All-Around Game

Candace may be known for dunking, but she has a good all-around game. She can score in a variety of ways. She can post up, take her defender off the dribble and she can hit a long-range shot. Candace is also a force on the defensive end, she can rebound and play good one-on-one D! No question, Candace is going to be a star in the WNBA very soon!

Did U Know?

Candace Parker is 6'5" tall and weighs 172 pounds.

Candace Parker hopes to be a T.V. broadcaster someday and idolizes Robin Roberts and Oprah Winfrey.

Candace Parker has a 28-inch vertical leap.

Candace Parker is dating Sacramento Kings' forward Sheldon Williams.

Candace Parker's older brother Anthony Parker is the starting forward for the Toronto Raptors.

Candace Parker was named to the People Magazine Most Beautiful List.

Candace Parker Says...

"My mom and daad always told me I should never be ashamed of how tall I was, because that was God's gift. I never looked at being tall as being a drawback. I've always been tall all my life, so I'm used to people being amazed at my height."

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