Candace Parker is the visual depiction of well-roundedness. Her longevity and success on the court is something that must be respected, but her balance with family life and career extension is admirable.
Laila, Parker’s very animated, very adorable daughter is a star in her own right. She travels with the team and is as much a Sparks staple as her mother. “The have been so good about letting me take her with me,” Parker said. Having Laila courtside at games motivates Parker. CP3 also jokingly told High Post Hoops Laila helps with recovery. “I put her to work,” Parker said about the mommy-daughter massage moments. Whatever it takes to preserve that body, Candace!
Recently, Parker spent some of her off-season as an on-air analyst, and the world is thankful-particularly for her reactions on TBS during March Madness. The transition from player to broadcaster will be seamless, if or when she decides, but again, judging from her performance this year, the full-time transition doesn’t seem to be coming any time soon.
Parker is one of the faces of the league with the ability to bridge the gap of respect shown the men’s game compared to the women’s game. All the critics out there who want to see women dunk, look no further. The search is not extensive, because it is an aspect of the game. Her game knowledge so respected, she has the trust of Kevin Garnett to talk basketball on his show, KG Arena.
Parker dove into pop culture quite naturally, and has capitalized on her own celebrity—something of which the WNBA needs more. She graces red carpets, she clowns Kevin Hart in ice baths, she takes selfies with Drake (though we all know HE’S the one who’s a fan of HER).
But, before Drake hopped on the bandwagon, we were fans. We saw the Candace Parker in the University of Tennessee grow to the Candace Parker who is a huge part of the Los Angeles Sparks’ identity.
In a highly competitive year, the Sparks are solidly positioned; they are currently third in the league. With Parker performing the way she is on both ends, and the depth of the Sparks roster, L.A. has every chance to win another title. High Post Hoops sat down with Parker and discussed her success and the success of her team. Check it out here:
We see you, Candace. You’re the real CP3.