The 2008 first overall pick, Candace Parker had one of the best WNBA careers. She finished ninth in total points scored (6574) and third in most rebounds (3467) in the history of the WNBA. She had one of the best rookie careers in the history of basketball winning the MVP, Rookie of the Year and making first team All-WNBA.
The seven-time All-Star won the WNBA championship for three different franchises, becoming the only player to win titles with three different franchises. She won one with the Los Angeles Spark in 2016 (the team that drafted her), second with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and the third with Las Vegas Aces in 2023. In April, 2024, Candace Parker announced her retirement from the game of basketball.
Candace Parker Championships
Candace Parker is a three-time WNBA champion. She won her first championship with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016, second championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and the third with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. The LA Sparks forward also won the 2016 Finals MVP against the Minnesota Lynx in a 3-2 series win.
In her maiden championship run, the Los Angeles Spark faced a resilient Chicago Sky team. She dominated the series, averaging 22.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 blocks per game and led the Sparks to a comfortable 3-1 series win. In the WNBA Finals, the Sparks faced the Minnesota Lynx who were the first seed and defeated the Phoenix Mercury by 3-0 in the previous round. In the final game of the series, Parker started the game on a strong note, scoring seven points in the first quarter. The Sparks were down by six points at the half, Parker had 10 points to her name. She took control of the game in the third quarter and scored 10 points and the Sparks cut down the lead by three points and were down 52-55 with only a quarter left. They won the game 77-76 as Parker scored 28 points with 12 rebounds and three steals in the title decider. Later on, Parker was named the Finals MVP for her monstrous two-way performance, she averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.0 blocks per game.
In her second championship hunt, Parker went to the Chicago Sky who finished as the sixth seed and made a historic run. In the finals against the fifth seed Phoenix Mercury, the Sky faced the duo of Griner and Taurasi. The 35-year old Parker put on a majestic performance to lead the Sky over the hump to win her second title. Across the 4 games, she averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals, shooting 35.7 from the three-point line. The Sky emerged victorious by 3-1 and a record 36 point victory in game 3.
Parker won her third championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023 but couldn’t participate in the playoffs due to an injury sustained in the regular season.
FAQ's On Candace Parker Championships
A. Candace Parker was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft.
A. Candace Parker has won three WNBA Championships, one with the Los Angeles Sparks, second with the Chicago Sky and the third with the Las Vegas Aces.
A. Candace Parker won the 2016 Finals MVP with the Los Angeles Sparks.
