Candace Parker

Who they were

Candace Nicole Parker, nicknamed "Ace", is an American former professional basketball player. 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. 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. Parker is credited with growing the popularity of women's basketball. In June 2026,

Early life

Educated at: Naperville Central High School and University of Tennessee.

Early life Parker was born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis , Missouri . [ 1 ] She has two older brothers, including former NBA basketball player Anthony Parker . [ 2 ] Parker moved with her family to Naperville, Illinois at the age of two, where she spent her childhood. [ 3 ] Her family loved basketball and she began playing at age six. [ 4 ] Her father Larry played basketball at Joliet West HS and the University of Iowa in the 1970s. [ 5 ]

Path and career

Awards / honours: Wade Trophy, list of Women's Basketball Academic All-America Team Members of the Year, Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year, and WNBA All-Rookie Team.

Why this date

Candace Parker appears on our April 19 calendar for 1986 as a birth entry.