Candace Parker has already solidified herself as one of the most influential athletes of this generation. After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, following a champion career at Tennessee, Parker went on to become the first player to earn WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. Over the course of her illustrious career, Parker won three WNBA championship titles, and took home two Olympic gold medals, helping redefine versatility and excellence in women’s basketball.
In 2026, she was named a headlining inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Off the court, first and foremost, she is a wife, mother of three children and three dogs. Since retired, she serves as an author, public speaker, activist, entrepreneur, and studio broadcaster for men’s and women’s basketball. Her recent book, “The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passion” breaks down her recipe for success which has helped her success on and off the court.