Who Is Candace Parker? Age, Biography and Wiki
Candace Parker was born on April 19, 1986, making her 38 years old as of 2025. A prominent American basketball player, Parker has established herself as one of the most significant figures in women’s sports. She first gained national attention while playing for the University of Tennessee, where she won two NCAA championships. Parker was drafted first overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, and since then, her career has soared, earning her numerous accolades including multiple WNBA championships and MVP awards.
For more information about her career, visit Candace Parker's Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 19, 1986 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Candace Parker's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Candace Parker stands tall at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), which has greatly contributed to her success as a forward in professional basketball. Her weight is approximately 180 lbs (82 kg), with her athletic build allowing her to excel on the court. While specific body measurements are not widely publicized, it is evident that Parker maintains a disciplined fitness regimen.
In a January 28, 2007, away game against Alabama, in her sophomore season, Parker became the fastest player in Lady Vols history to score 1,000 career points. She achieved the record in 56 games, beating Chamique Holdsclaw's mark of 57 games and Tamika Catchings's of 58 games.
On March 1, at the SEC tournament in Duluth, Georgia, Parker was named the 2007 SEC Player of the Year.v On April 3, she led the Lady Vols to their first national championship since 1998, beating Rutgers 59–46. Parker finished the game with 17 points and earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player honor.
On February 21, 2008, Parker announced that she would forgo her final season of eligibility at Tennessee in order to focus on the 2008 Olympics and pursue a professional career in basketball.
On April 8, 2008, despite having suffered a dislocated shoulder in the regional final, Parker led the Lady Vols to their second straight NCAA women's title, the eighth championship for Tennessee and the last for legendary coach Pat Summitt.
She was also named the Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive NCAA tournament, joining Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Diana Taurasi as the only female players to have done so.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Candace Parker is in a relationship with former Chicago Sky teammate and current WNBA player, [insert girlfriend/wife's name if known], adding a layer of camaraderie to their romance. Previously, Parker was married to former NBA player Shelden Williams, with whom she shares a daughter, Lailaa. Parker’s personal life often garners media attention, as she balances her motherhood with a thriving professional career.
Parker moved with her family to Naperville, Illinois at the age of two, where she spent her childhood. Her family loved basketball and she began playing at an early age. Her father Larry played basketball at Joliet West HS and the University of Iowa in the 1970s. The Parker family were also Chicago Bulls fans.
Candace was worried about playing basketball, fearing she would not live up to the level of play her father and brother demonstrated, so she focused on playing soccer. It wasn't until the eighth grade that her family convinced her to play competitive basketball. Her father helped coach and critique her.
Parker said of the experience, "He did things to make me mad, to challenge me, because I was so much more athletic and had so much more knowledge of the game than everyone else that sometimes I just coasted. If me and my dad went to a park and he didn't think I was practicing hard enough, he'd just get in the car and leave.
And I'd have to run home. I mean run home. Once I figured that out, I'd always try to go to close-by parks."
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Candace Parker's estimated net worth is around $5 million. Her primary sources of income are her WNBA salary and various endorsement deals with high-profile brands. In the WNBA, top players can earn substantial salaries, and Parker is no exception, making significant earnings from both her team contracts and endorsements.
Career, Business, and Investments
Candace Parker's career spans over a decade in the WNBA, where she has made a significant impact both on and off the court. Beyond her basketball endeavors, Parker is involved in several business ventures, including her appearances as a sports analyst on networks such as TNT and ESPN. She has also invested in youth basketball programs and initiatives aimed at supporting women in sports, highlighting her commitment to community development.
On June 22, 2008, she became the second woman in WNBA history—after her teammate Lisa Leslie—to dunk during a regulation WNBA game, against the Indiana Fever. The dunk was on the same basket as Lisa Leslie's. On June 24, 2008, she became the first player to dunk twice in their WNBA career, during a regulation game against the Seattle Storm.
Social Network
Candace Parker maintains an active social media presence, where she connects with fans and shares insights from her life as an athlete and mother. You can find her on platforms such as:
- Instagram: @candaceparker
- Twitter: @Candace Parker
Like her older brother Anthony Parker, she attended Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois. Parker led her high school basketball team to Class AA state titles in 2003 and 2004, and compiled a school-record 2,768 points (22.9 points per game) and 1,592 rebounds (13.2 rebounds per game) while starting 119 of the 121 games in which she played.
Education
Candace Parker attended the University of Tennessee, where she excelled academically as well as athletically. She graduated with a degree in sports management, demonstrating her commitment to both her education and her sports career. This academic background has assisted her in navigating her post-basketball career through various businesses and investments.
A versatile player, Parker mainly played the forward and center positions. In high school, Parker won the 2003 and 2004 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year awards, becoming just the second junior and the only woman to receive a Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year award twice.
As a college player for Tennessee, she led the team to two consecutive national championships (2007, 2008), was named the Final Four's most outstanding player in both occasions and was a two-time consensus national player of the year.
As a redshirt freshman, she became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game and the first woman to dunk twice in a college game. After being selected in the WNBA Draft, Parker signed long-term endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade.
