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 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).
Have you seen the new commercial for Gatorade called “What’s G?”
The spot features Serena Williams, Misty May Treanor & Kerri Walsh, Candace Parker, the legendary Muhammad Ali, and a bevy of other celebrity-athletes. It’s pretty cool though you’d never know they were selling a sports drink.
This latest comes shortly after Gatorade scored with the amazing ball girl video, easily the best viral marketing campaign of 2008.
In other beverage news, Gatorade is expanding into action sports and has announced the addition of 17-year-old snowboarder Ellery Hollingsworth to their elite team roster.
December 29, 2009 - The year wraps up with some great news for veteran hoops player Katie Smith. The Detroit Shock forward was surprised to learn she has been named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist and co-captain of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that captured the USA’s fourth consecutive gold medal Smith will also be nominated by USA Basketball for the U.S. Olympic Committee SportsWoman of the Year.
Smith’s shown an unrivaled commitment to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Program, missing just one of the USA’s training camps over the past three years. She may not always put up the big numbers but her contribution to every team she’s been a part of is unparalled so it’s nice she gets the props.
College: No surprise here - Connecticut is the unanimous No. 1 choice for the fifth straight week in the women’s college basketball poll by the Associated Press.
December 23, 2008 - She led Tennessee to a second straight national championship in women’s basketball, was the first pick in the WNBA Draft, took the league’s MVP and rookie of the year awards, helped the U.S. win a fourth-straight Olympic gold medal and, oh she got married last month.
Now Candace Parker has been selected Female Athlete of the Year by members of the Associated Press. She is only the third basketball player to win the women’s award, joining Sheryl Swoopes in 1993 and Rebecca Lobo in 1995.
Golfer Lorena Ochoa finished one vote shy of becoming only the fourth three-time winner of the award. Rounding out the top five were gymnast Nastia Liukin, swimmer Dara Torres, and gymnast Shawn Johnson.
And who won the Male Athlete of the Year? Michael Phelps of course!
December 11, 2008 - There’s one more week to share who in your life has “sparked” your dreams!
Each of us has a dream. Some of us dream big: we want to be a movie star, president, or a professional athlete. Some of us dream of being great: just like our mom, our dad, our big brother or sister, or our teachers and coaches. Whatever our dreams are, it is usually a special person in our lives who “sparks” those dreams.
Did watching Lisa Leslie hit a game winning shot inspire you to practice harder? Or maybe Candace Parker’s two dunks sparked you to reach heights you didn’t think possible? Perhaps someone in your family has inspired you to be great. This is your opportunity to tell who in your life has helped “spark” your dreams.
In 500 words or less, describe who in your life has provided the “spark” to your dreams. The winning submission will receive a visit from a Sparks player to their school, organization or workplace. Second and third place will receive four (4) red section tickets to the 2009 Sparks Opening Night game. Selected stories will also be shared on the LASparks.com. All entries must be received by 5pm PT on Wednesday, December 17, 2008.
For eligibility, rules and entry form visit wnba.com
btw: congrats to Sparks player Candace Parker who tied the knot with Shelden Williams when the couple eloped in Lake Tahoe last month.
Polls are now open for the 2008 United States Sports Academy (USSA) Athletes of the Year awards presented by USAToday and NBC Sports. The USSA Athlete of the Year ballot is the culmination of the Academy’s year long Athlete of the Month program, which recognizes the accomplishments of men and women in any sport around the globe.
December 8, 2008 - The Houston Comets Dispersal Draft took place today punctuating the sad news that the most important team in WNBA history is officially shutting its doors.
The Atlanta Dream selected Sancho Lyttle with the first pick. The Washington Mystics chose Matee Ajavon with the second pick while the Chicago Sky took Mistie Williams with the third selection. Teams drafted in inverse order of their regular-season finish in 2008.
As previously announced, the Houston Comets suspended operations for the 2009 season when the league couldn’t find a new owner for the franchise. Players on the Comets’ roster at the conclusion of the 2008 season were eligible for selection. Teams not wishing to select a player had the option of passing.
Draft Results
Atlanta Dream: Sancho Lyttle
Washington Mystics: Matee Ajavon
Chicago Sky: Mistie Williams
Minnesota Lynx: Roneeka Hodges
Phoenix Mercury: Sequoia Holmes
Indiana Fever: Erica White
Sacramento Monarchs: Renae Camino
New York Liberty: Pass
LA Sparks: Pass
Connecticut Sun: Pass
Detroit Shock: Pass
Seattle Storm: Pass
San Antonio Silver Stars: Pass
Unrestricted free agents who were not eligible for selection included Latasha Byears, Mwadi Mabika, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba, Michelle Snow and Tina Thompson. These players, along with anyone not selected in today’s dispersal draft, may begin negotiating with any team once the free agency period begins on Dec. 15.
December 2, 2008 - The Houston Comets will suspend operations for the 2009 season it was announced today by WNBA President Donna Orender. A WNBA Dispersal Draft involving Comets players will take place on Monday, Dec. 8.
The Comets dominated the fledgling league when it began operations, winning the first four WNBA titles from 1997-2000, led by its talented trio of players: Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper and Tina Thompson. Kind of ironic that the most successful Houston sports franchise is no more.
With the Comets officially gone (well technically the franchise is “suspended”) what does that mean for the league? In her ESPN column, Mechelle Voepel discusses the demise of the team and the struggles the league will face in this uncertain economy.
As the old adage goes, the Comets were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it’s important not to forget that a decade ago, they were in the right place at the right time. And the WNBA benefited because of it…
…Bad news? Of course. But the NBA is still vested enough in the WNBA, and that — along with the energy and hard work of the independent owners — will keep the league going.
The folding of the Comets franchise leaves the San Antonio Silver Stars as the only remaining WNBA team in Texas. For now, bye, bye Comets. You’ll be missed but not forgotten. And hopefully, you’ll be back one day soon!
November 24, 2008 - With the year drawing to an end, the WNBA takes a look back at the finest season in league history by celebrating the best memories and images from 2008.
Now through the end of the year, you can vote for your favorite shots from the most talented basketball photographers in the world. You’ll see game-action photos, celebration shots, behind-the-scenes images, portraits and events from the community.
Photos are separated by home team and divided into four brackets by region. Fans’ vote and the top choices will then go on to meet in a bracket-style “Photo of the Year” tournament in December.
Last year was a year of firsts for Candace Parker.
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