Candace Parker: April 2008 Archives

While in Chicago this weekend for the WNBA's Rookie Orientation, Candace Parker took time out to talk to The Sun and WNBA.com.

Parker told her hometown newspaper that she missed a majority of Thursday's scheduled events, because she was shooting a commercial to help promote the WNBA.

Alongside her at the shoot? Detroit's Cheryl Ford and Indiana's Tamika Catchings, a former Tennessee star like Parker.

Now a rookie with the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker said the promo's scheduled to air during the NBA Finals. Boy how things have changed for the former Naperville Central star.

Here's what else Parker had to say at WNBA.com.

In recent months, Candace Parker has become the first women's player to give up a year of eligibility to enter the WNBA draft, led Tennessee to its second consecutive NCAA championship and been selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.

This summer the Naperville Central graduate will play in the Olympics. The question Cosellout asks in a post The Big Lead linked to on Wednesday is, can Candace Parker get on the cover of Sports Illustrated?

Based on accomplishments alone, the prospects don't look too good, according to recent history.

One would have to go back nearly three full years, 10 bikinis, and one miniskirt before finding a female all by herself on the cover who was recognized for her athletic achievements (Danica Patrick in June 2005).

If not Candace Parker, then who?

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt posed the question during the NCAA Tournament: "'Who is the best player in the world? Is it Candace Parker or is it (Australia's) Lauren Jackson?'"

Seattle selected Jackson No. 1 overall in the 2001 WNBA Draft. In 2004, she received a silver medal at the Olympic games in Athens, Greece. In 2007, she became the youngest person (26 years, 77 days) in the WNBA to reach 4,000 points.

All of that's possible for Parker, who's already matched draft status with Jackson. As for this summer's Beijing Olympics and Parker's rookie year in the WNBA, she'll be fine if her future follows her past. Right?

At Tennessee, Parker's numbers over three years stack up with some of the best.

She ended her career with 44 straight double-digit scoring games, helping her achieve the Lady Vols fourth-highest scoring average of all-time with 19.4 points per game - one position behind Chamique Holdsclaw's 20.4 mark.

Parker's 8.8 rebounds per game ranks tied for third with Holdsclaw. Parker's 275 blocks ranks tops along with her free throws made (526) and attempted (738).

You did it again!

Congrats Candace Parker on leading Tennessee to a second straight national title. All the awards, accolades and attention - you deserve it and make Naperville proud.

Good luck in the Olympics and in the WNBA.

Naperville - join us in congratulating Candace by selecting the comments link above.

There's only one thing left for Candace Parker to do before taking the court each game.

"We always say the Lord's prayer and then anyone else that wants to pray, we go over and I lead the prayer," Parker said Monday. "And we do our little pregame clap, you know. And then we sing on Sundays. It's just something we do."

Parker, Nicky Anosike, Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste proved it, too. During their one-on-one media sessions at the St. Pete Times Forum on Monday in Tampa, Fla., the four starters each busted out lines from R. Kelly's "I believe I can fly."

Yes, laughter was had by all.

Think Candace Parker's leaving Tennessee early? Abandoning, ditching even?

Think again.

"I've been at Tennessee for four years, so it wouldn't be me leaving early. It's me deciding to stay late," said Parker, explaining her take on next season. "Did I want to stay late or did I want to leave on time? That's the way I looked at it."

In other words, college is a four-year commitment. That's all the time Parker planned on giving to the Lady Volunteers, regardless of her athletic eligibility.

If Parker would not have redshirted her freshman year, her time in Knoxville would be up.

She did redshirt though and it bought her next year -- if she wanted it -- but she's ready for graduation and ready to move on just the way she planned.

If this doesn't get you jacked up for Tennessee women's buckets, nothing will.