Candace Parker Holiday Clinic
December 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Basketball, Candace Parker, Pretty Sporty, WNBA
If you’re lucky enough to live in, or near, Los Angeles, and you’re a basketball player who wants to train with LA Sparks star Candace Parker, then you’re in luck.
Parker is hosting a one day training clinic on Dec. 28th for girls who want to improve their game and play against top competition.
Check out the flyer for all the details:
WNBA playoffs begin tonight
September 16, 2009 by jane
Filed under Basketball, Events, Pretty Sporty, WNBA
Detroit opens it’s title defense vs. the Dream tonight. The WNBA Eastern Conference Semifinal series pits the second-seeded Atlanta team against the third-seeded Shock.
The Dream, in just their second year of existence, are making their first-ever appearance in the playoffs after posting an 18-16 record in the regular season, something that was thought to be impossible after they posted just four wins in their entire inaugural campaign.
The 1-2 opening round format, in which the lower seed plays at home first, could be a huge factor here. If veteran-laden Detroit is able to capture the opener at home, where it has won six straight, it could give them the mental edge over an Atlanta team getting a taste of the playoffs for the first time ever as a group.
Some fast facts about the first-round Shock-Dream matchup:
- Detroit snapped a three-game skid to Atlanta in their last meeting on August 27.
- The Shock lead the all-time series, 4-3.
- Atlanta is making its first trip to the playoffs, while Detroit is making its seventh straight and eighth overall.
- Erika de Souza posted three double-doubles vs. Detroit this season.
- Shavonte Zellous averaged 16.8 PPG vs. Atlanta this season.
- Detroit has won three straight opening-round series.
The second match up of the night features Los Angeles vs. Seattle in the Western Conference semifinal. The Sparks have been a thorn in Seattle’s side for years now. L.A. eliminated Seattle in a series that went the distance last season as well as in 2006. And with Tina Thompson now added to the mix, Candace Parker at full strength, Lisa Leslie motivated to win a title in her final season, the Sparks should present problems for the Storm once again in 2009.
Some fast facts about the first-round Storm-Sparks matchup:
- The Storm (74.82) and Sparks (74.50) are 11th and 12th in the league in points per game.
- Leslie has played in just one of the four games against the Storm this season. Parker has played in only two.
- Seattle was the two seed in 2004 when they won their only trophy.
- Lennox was part of that Storm championship team. Only Jackson and Bird remain off that roster.
- Leslie has spent her entire 13-year career with the Sparks. During that time, she’s made seven All-Star appearances and has won two titles.
- Milton-Jones and Leslie are the only two current Sparks from their 2002 championship team. Leslie has remained with the club over the years, while Milton-Jones left three seasons (2005-07) to play in Washington.
Be sure to catch both games tonight on ESPN2!
Naperville basketball court named after Candace Parker
August 5, 2009 by jane
Filed under Awards, Basketball, Candace Parker, Events, Pretty Awesome, Pretty Sporty, WNBA
Candace Parker Basketball Court
How’d you like a neighborhood basketball court named after you? That’s exactly what happened to WNBA star Candace Parker last week. The Naperville Park District honored their fave local player by dedicating a newly renovated basketball court in her honor.
Spring-Field Park is where Candace practiced basketball growing up so when she cut the ribbon on Candace Parker Court, she recalled her childhood.
“This is where I pretty much first picked up a basketball,” said Parker, “The first time I was on the court I was 5, had these huge braids and played with my big brothers. The park meant so much to our family.”
A plaque implanted in the sidewalk leading to the court notes that it was “the place where, for many years, Parker practiced and honed her craft under the guidance of her father.” Larry Parker was a former college basketball player who helped his daughter shape her game through countless hours of play.
“I am so excited to welcome Candace back to Naperville and present her with a Key to the City,” Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel said. “Candace is one of our hometown heroes and a positive role model for future generations of Naperville athletes. This is a fitting tribute for an outstanding individual. She truly has the key to our hearts in Naperville.”
Parker’s prowess on the basketball court has earned her numerous distinctions, from her high school prep career at Naperville Central High School where her contributions drove the Redhawks to consecutive state titles, as a member of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols where she led in scoring and rebounds during her final season, and as the top pick of the 2008 WNBA draft, going to the Los Angeles Sparks, her current team.
Most recently, Parker led the U.S. women’s basketball team to the gold medal during the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China.
Parker said she never imagined evolving into a role model for female athletes during her days playing in Naperville, but believes she has plenty of company.
“My generation was probably the first that had a few female athletes to really look up to, but today there are countless female athletes for young girls to look up to,” she said.
Candace Parker welcomes baby girl
May 13, 2009 by jane
Filed under Basketball, Candace Parker, News Bytes, Pretty Awesome, WNBA, family
According the the WNBA site, Candace Parker gave birth to a baby girl today at 11:29 a.m. It is the first child for the WNBA MVP / Rookie of the Year and husband Shelden Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The baby girl weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches in length. “Shelden and I are thrilled,” said Parker. “This is such a life changing moment for us, we feel blessed to have a healthy and beautiful baby girl.”
Parker plans to rejoin the Los Angeles Sparks once she has received clearance from her physician.
Congratulations Candace! Girls kick grass!!
Women’s HerStory Month on ESPN
March 2, 2009 by jane
Filed under Entertainment, Events, History, Pretty Awesome, Pretty Sporty, TV
Billie Jean King made history 35 years ago by beating Bobby Riggs in a tennis match in an iconic moment in the history of women’s sports. Today, a new generation of female athletes make their own history on playing fields across the country.
This month, in honor of Women’s History Month, ESPN will broadcast a contemporary collection of stories of empowerment and inspiration, struggle and triumph. The programs, which feature both pioneers as well as a new generation of female sports icons will appear across ESPN platforms, including television and ESPN.com.
Stories include a profile of supergirl Candace Parker (now dunking for two), who will appear on the cover of the March 23 issue of ESPN the Magazine. In that same issue, and on March 8 on “Outside the Lines,” senior writer Peter Keating expands his ongoing investigation into sports and concussions by examining the ramifications on female athletes.
A series of vignettes featuring the newest generation of female athletes will begin airing March 8. Athletes such as Jessica Long, a double amputee swimmer who won gold at the Paralympic Games in Beijing (not to mention the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete back home), and Darienne Serna, a spectacularly agile wide receiver who helped her Texas team win the girls 12- to 14-year-old NFL flag football championship by channeling her hero, Larry Fitzgerald.
On March 14, ESPN Classic will run an 11-hour marathon showcasing many of the pioneering women who led the march across the frontiers of equal prize money, equal access and equal opportunity. Beginning with a documentary on Title IX and including the smackdown match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the ESPN marathon will highlight some of the most significant moments in women’s sports history. Profiles include Mia Hamm, Chris Evert, Bonnie Blair and FloJo.
On March 27, ESPN will air a one-hour special, “Her Story,” with Sports Center anchor Hannah Storm. The special focuses on fresh stories about young athletes including surfer Bethany Hamilton’s extraordinary comeback from a shark attack, as well as reporter Shelley Smith’s astute look at what it means to be a young Hispanic athlete.
The ”Her Story” page on espn.com will include stories, columns, videos and links to all kinds of content from television, ESPN The Magazine and ESPNRISE.com. Readers and viewers also can help document the new history by submitting their own inspirational sports stories. The “My Story” section of the page lets anyone with a camera produce a short video clip about themselves, a coach, a teammate or a team. The winning clip will air on the “Her Story” television special on March 27.
Women’s History Content on ESPN
| Date |
Time (ET) |
Program |
Channel |
| March 8 |
9:00 a.m. |
Outside the Lines: Girls and Concussions |
ESPN |
Teen Vogue: 20 Questions with Candace Parker
February 10, 2009 by jane
Filed under Basketball, Candace Parker, Entertainment, General, Pretty Hot, WNBA
A natural athlete, basketball player Candace Parker has been dribbling a ball since the age of six. She attributes her success to making hard work her passion. The Los Angeles Sparks forward may be tough as nails on the court, but when the game is over, Parker can be found relaxing in Rock and Republic jeans with her family and beloved dogs Neno, Fendi, and Prada.
Fave City: Chicago
Fave Food: Mom’s Lasagna
Fave Musical Artist: Jay-Z
Fave Celebrity Look: Rihanna
Check out what Parker has to say about beauty, basketball, and making it to the top of her game.
20 Questions with Candace Parker
Star in the new “Me, Myself” adidas campaign
February 3, 2009 by jane
Filed under Basketball, Candace Parker, Contest, Entertainment, Pretty Chic
Adidas has put together a cool campaign called “Me, Myself” to support the launch of their new women’s apparel website.
What makes it cool? You could be the new face of adidas and star with WNBA MVP Candace Parker in a series of ads and marketing initiatives.
Participants upload their picture and share a personal, inspirational story that other visitors can view and vote on. The site also allows for voting via Facebook and other social networking apps. At the end of the contest, three winners will be chosen to be in a photo shoot with Parker in Los Angeles which will be the basis of the adidas marketing campaign.
The contest officially launched this week at www.adidas.com/women. Voting begins March 1.
Around the world wide web…
January 25, 2009 by jane
Filed under Basketball, Candace Parker, News Bytes, Soccer
A few articles to note this weekend:
LA Sparks star Candace Parker talks for the first time about her pregnancy, motherhood and coming back to play part of this season.
At 21, Allisa Czisny is the oldest first-time U.S. Figure Skating champion since Nancy Kerrigan in 1993.
U.S. Women’s National Team soccer players Heather Mitts and Angie Woznuk came into training camp with a little extra weight on their left ring fingers.
Mr. President, The Ball Is In Your Court
January 21, 2009 by jane
Filed under Basketball, Candace Parker, General, History
Sports journalist Sally Jenkins pens a letter to President Obama in her Washington Post column outlining 10 ways to change the sports landscape in America. Obama, a serious baller and self-professed sports junkie, should take note.
Jenkins writes:
As with any issue vital to the republic, what you need is a sports czar to point you in the right direction and set your agenda as well as help you avoid the mistakes of your predecessors, such as boycotting the wrong thing or biking when you should be thinking.
Her open letter includes such suggestions as:
- eliminating the skewed BCS system in college football
- making college freshman ineligible for sports so they can concentrate on school activities including academics
- informing the American public that there’s no difference between men’s basketball and women’s basketball and highlighting the point by inviting Candace Parker to the White House for a game of one-on-one.
- enforcing equal pay for women’s sports (hello…) Tennessee Vols coach Pat Summit, who has won eight national championships, makes about half of what her male counterpart, who has never made it past the Sweet 16, makes.
Jenkins notes that most of the suggestions concern college or amateur sports. We’ll have to wait for Obama’s second term to tackle the pros. Read the full article here.
Oh baby!
January 7, 2009 by jane
Filed under Candace Parker, News Bytes, WNBA
Last year was a year of firsts for Candace Parker.
In 2008 Parker was selected the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, she was the first woman in the WNBA to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, she captured her first Olympic Gold Medal at the Summer Games in Beijing and last November she eloped.
Entering a new year, Parker confirmed she has a special first to look forward to. This spring, she and husband Shelden Williams of the Sacramento Kings are expecting their first child.
And the timing works out perfectly. Parker says she will continue to work out in preparation to participate in the 2009 WNBA season which kicks off for the Sparks on June 6th. Guess she won’t be playing in Russia as expected but she’s young and assuming there are no complications there’s no reason she can’t return to play quickly.
In a letter to fans, Sparks owners Carla Christofferson and Kathy Goodman write they “are delighted to be adding a new Sparks fan.” Boy or girl, this kid should be dunking in no time (as well as perusing sponsorship offers).
The former face of the Sparks, Lisa Leslie, announced on the same day that Goodman and her Christofferson bought the team that she would miss the entire 2007 season due to pregnancy so we’re guessing the news wasn’t a total shock to the owners.
Still, the health of the Sparks and the WNBA rests somewhat precariously on Parker’s shoulders so there must be added pressure. No male athlete has to account to the league or fans regarding child birth decisions – it’s unfortunate the same can’t be said about female athletes.
Congrats CP – Enjoy the moment!
