Kaili Spooner’s passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
Jul 22, 2024
Candace Nicole Parker is among the best and most influential professional athletes ever. Aside from being one of the most decorated female basketball players, which I will touch on later, she has also made an impact in the community and paved the way for future female athletes all over the world. Parker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 19, 1986, to Sara and Larry Parker, and is the youngest of three children. She started playing basketball at an early age, and by her sophomore year of high school, it was clear that Candace was destined to do great things. And that she did! Parker went on to play with FIBA (international basketball) and Team USA, as well as at the University of Tennessee and in the WNBA. Outside of playing basketball, she has pursued a career in broadcasting, supported some of the most important causes, and started a family. After a legendary 16-year career in the WNBA, Candace Parker announced her retirement via a lengthy Instagram post on April 28, 2024. She concluded with, “No matter how you prepare for it, you won’t be ready for the gap it leaves in your soul. Forgive me as I mourn a bit, but I’ll be back loving the game differently in a while.”
Though Candace Parker was born in Missouri, she grew up mostly in Naperville, Illinois, and attended Naperville Central High School. Her father, Larry Parker, played basketball at the University of Iowa in the 1970s and coached her from a young age. Over the years, she developed into a highly intelligent, versatile player, setting herself apart from other athletes in high school. At Naperville Central, she led her team to back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004, and by the time she was a sophomore, she could dunk. Parker went on to win the Gatorade Prep Player of the Year and Naismith awards, and in 2004, she became the first woman to win the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest.
After a successful high school career, Parker took her talents to the University of Tennessee. On March 19, 2006, she became the first woman to dunk twice in a single NCAA game. She was named the SEC Rookie of the Year and led the Lady Vols to back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008. In her final collegiate season, she averaged 20.6 points per game and 8.8 rebounds. Parker was awarded multiple Player of the Year awards and the NCAA Final Four MVP Award in those same years. In 2008, the LA Sparks had the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft, and they selected Parker. She went on to dominate, succeed, empower, and trailblaze at the next level, both on and off the court.
Unsurprisingly, Candace went on to make a name for herself in the WNBA. She finished her 2008 season averaging a league-best of over 9 rebounds per game, earning both the MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards. In 2013, while playing for the Sparks, she won her second MVP trophy after averaging 17.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, making her the fifth player in league history to win multiple MVP awards.
Over the next few seasons, she led her teams to the finals, continued to lead the WNBA in rebounds per game, earned first-team All-WNBA Honors six times, and was named the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year. In 2021, she signed with the Chicago Sky, where she helped defeat the Phoenix Mercury in the finals, securing the Sky’s first-ever championship. In 2023, Candace Parker signed with the Aces, but her season was cut short due to a severe foot injury.
Candace’s triumphs extend far beyond the game, and it’s crucial to highlight those achievements. She has taken her basketball skills and knowledge to the sideline, becoming an acclaimed broadcaster. By pursuing this career, she has made numerous appearances on NBA on TNT, SportsCenter, the SEC Network, and other prominent stations. Notably, she was the only female analyst during the 2018 Men’s NCAA March Madness Tournament. Furthermore, Candace Parker has dedicated significant effort to helping the community and supporting various causes, such as D.A.R.E., No Kid Hungry, Girls In The Game, PETA, the Pat Summitt Foundation, and many more. Her ability to juggle a successful career while selflessly advocating for others is a testament to why she is endeared around the world. One of her greatest accomplishments, aside from basketball, was becoming a mother to her daughter, Lailaa Nicole. Just after completing her rookie season with the Sparks, she announced her pregnancy. Remarkably, only 52 days after giving birth, she was back on the court. If there’s one thing women can do, it’s everything. Parker proved this by balancing young motherhood, constant traveling, and playing a professional sport.
Inspiring the Next Generation Parker inspires athletes, particularly in basketball, to not be confined to a single role but to strive for versatility. Standing at 6’4”, she possesses incredible range, agility, and athleticism. While her primary positions are Forward and Center, Candace has demonstrated that she can do it all. Her controlled ball-handling skills enable her to bring the ball up the court, shoot the mid-range, run the offense, and play exceptional defense. Beyond her on-court abilities, Parker’s accolades and success from childhood through her professional basketball career highlight her exceptional leadership qualities. Candace Parker epitomizes the all-around basketball player. Her success serves as a powerful testament to young Black girls and girls in general in sports. As a Black woman, she has thrived despite coming from a marginalized group, making a positive name for herself and challenging stereotypes. She has transformed the landscape for women in a male-dominated sport. Through her extensive achievements and hard work, she has opened doors for herself, paved the way for those who follow, and contributed significantly to the growth of women’s sports.
After accumulating over a decade and a half of accolades and achievements, Candace Parker has stepped away from the court to pursue other interests and focus on her family. In early May 2024, it was announced that she would be stepping into the role of President of Adidas Women’s Basketball. According to Adidas, “Parker will collaborate with the brand to create a powerful platform aimed at influencing and elevating the future of women’s sports… With a focus on access, increased representation, and breaking down barriers on a global scale. Parker will drive innovative strategies and empowering initiatives to push the game further.” From making changes on the court to now making changes behind the scenes, the beloved pioneer may not be physically playing anymore, but her skills, contributions, and legacy will forever be imprinted on the game of basketball.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Kaili Spooner's passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider's values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
Kaili Spooner’s passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
Kaili Spooner’s passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
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