Old Duffers’ memories ordinarily go way back, especially those with a sports history. Focus today is perspective in sports history with a family emphasis. No, not 1974, or, 1984, however, more recently.
Candace Parker, a 16-year veteran of women’s professional basketball, as an accomplished player, Sunday morning his week at the start of practice for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) quietly announced her retirement from the WNBA. She is the only player in the growing WNBA to win three league championships with three teams. She played two of the last three seasons with the Sky and led them to the championship in 2021.
It was evident when she was a freshman starter on the Naperville Central High School girls basketball team her destiny was to be a quality player. She more than fulfilled that course.
Quality as a person, apart from sports accomplishments, defines Candace Parker. Her family reflects such refinement and quality. Her brother, Anthony, Parker, a star and a 1997 graduate of Bradley University, was a professional basketball player for 15 seasons, nine in the United States, five in Israel, and one in Italy. Reports indicated Anthony was one of the more popular players in Israel. The forward/guard led Bradley in scoring his senior season with a 19-point average. He played for several teams in the U.S., including the Orlando Magic, for which he is the general manager. Likely, Candace Parker will be accomplished in her chosen role now that her professional playing days have been completed.
Candace and Anthony are not the first in the family to play basketball. Their father, Larry Parker, was a starter a the University of Iowa, prior to settling in Naperville. In high school, Larry Parker played at Juliet West, was the captain his senior season and twice was all-conference. Both Larry Parker and his son, Anthony Parker, were 6-6 forwards. Candace Parker is 6-4 and often would outplay men her age in scrimmages. She was the first to dunk in an WNBA game. Even though the spectacular dunk is often overrated and still worth only two points, it shows her range and athleticism.
Their parents were often at games in high school and college for Anthony and Candace, quietly in the background and supportive. The family was paramount, it was evident.
Candace made her presence felt in the first year in her WNBA career for the Los Angeles Sparks when she was named both the Most Valuable Player Award winner and Rookie of the Year Award winner.
The game will miss Candace and if her destiny is to stay in basketball it will be to the game’s benefit.