sportsdunia logo
Search Icon

Advertisement

OppaTopBannerAdDesktop

Advertisement

Candace Parker: Bio, Net worth, Height, Age, Stats, Salary and More

13 min
Candace Parker
Table of content

Candace Parker is not just an icon in basketball; she is a torchbearer in the sports business, an inspiration for many souls, and an economic giant. From her stellar WNBA career to her lucrative endorsements and her effect beyond the court, Parker is synonymous with hard work, perseverance, and raw talent. In this article, we check into Candace Parker’s net worth, salary details, sponsorships, and her impact on and beyond the basketball court. We will also talk about her family background and the groups that have impacted her professional journey. Since she is not in the hardcourt to entertain the fans anymore, we will get to know about her post-retirement opportunities.

Candace Parker Early Life

Candace Parker was born on April 19, 1986 in St. Louis, Missouri. She began playing basketball from an early age, especially since her family also had the same passion for the game as her. The Parker family was die-hard Chicago Bulls fans, and Candace grew up watching the dynasty Bulls team win six championships.

Initially, Candace focused on playing soccer, as she was afraid she could not match the same levels as her father and brother demonstrated. However, her father motivated her all throughout and urged her to continue figuring out her path. Sure enough, Parker did find her calling in basketball.

Candace Parker Personal Information

Here is a sneak peek into some of Candace Parkers important life milestones and personal biodata:

Player InformationDetails
Date of BirthApril 19, 1986
Age38 years (as of 2024)
Birth PlaceNaperville, Illinois, USA
PositionForward/Center
College/UniversityUniversity of Tennessee
Height6 feet 4 inches
Weight184 lbs
Teams(2008-2020) Los Angeles Sparks (2021-2022) Chicago Sky (2023-2024) Las Vegas Aces
SpouseAnna Petrakova
Candace Parker Personal Information

Advertisement

4RA Incontent ad

Candace Parker Personal Life

Candace Parker has a vibrant off-court life, as most retired WNBA athletes tend to have. In 2018, Parker joined as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT broadcast of Tuesday games during 2018-2019 season. She also served as an analyst for the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game. In 2023, Parker marked a milestone by becoming the first woman color commentator for an All-Star Game.

Parker was named by People on its 100 World's Most Beautiful People list in 2007. She has a great affinity of rearing pets and has a dog named Prada. She previously had a St. Bernard mix named Fendi, with whom she appeared in an anti-fur ad for PETA.

Candace Parker Wife

Candace Parker Wife
Credits: Official Instagram Handle of Candace Parker

Candace Parker’s partner, Anna Petrakova, played professional basketball and was a member of the Russian national team. She competed in the 2012 Olympics and played for multiple European clubs. Their relationship was kept private until Parker revealed their marriage in 2021.

As Candace Parker’s wife, Anna Petrakova has been a supportive presence in both Parker’s personal and professional life. The couple celebrated their marriage with close family and friends.

They welcomed their son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, in February 2022, expanding their family alongside Parker’s daughter, Lailaa.

Advertisement

Fanatics Banner

Candace Parker Parents

Image
Credits: Candace Parker's Official X handle

Family, as a matter of fact, has always been the keystone of Candace Parker’s life. She is the daughter ogf Larry Parker and the younger sister of ex-NBA player Anthony Parker. Ever since her childhood, Candace's parents instilled a good work ethic and loyalty in her.

Parker and Russian basketball player Anna Petrakova share an immensely sweet relationship with each other. They are together raising their two children, which also includes Parker’s daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, from a previous marriage. Parker often uses social media to reflect on her family life and her role as a nurturing mother and wife. Though they have extremely close family ties, Parker also participates in community service, social advocacy, and mentoring young athletes.

Candace Parker Contract

Candace Parker’s earnings have increased during her WNBA career- in 2023; she signed with the Las Vegas Aces into a contract that is said to be in the vicinity of $200,000 annually, which is quite consistent with the salary cap of the WNBA for top players. Because of that, even if WNBA salaries do not pay women anything compared to what their male counterparts make in the NBA, Parker has made it a great way for herself to afford a bigger salary by being astute in making career decisions and aligning her brand with people who could add value in other capacities.

Candace Parker Salary

Creating new opportunities, considering new paths, or finding ways to grow the industry even further in providing additional value to the women involved in it are the side effects of the increase in the numbers out there. Candace Parker’s income exceeds that which one would obtain from playing in the WNBA.

Here is a breakdown of Candace Parker's salary over the years with the various teams she has played for in the WNBA:

YearTeamSalary
2008Los Angeles Sparks$44,064
2012Los Angeles Sparks$95,000
2020Los Angeles Sparks$190,550
2021–2022Chicago Sky$195,000/year
2023–PresentLas Vegas Aces$200,000/year
Candace Parker Salary breakdown

Candace Parker Endorsements

Two years down the line, Candace Parker proved her magnetic persona into a mark for lucrative endorsements. She has been associated with different top brands bringing plenty to her coffers, some of which include:

  • Adidas: Candace Parker already has a running contract with Adidas, and the company has just launched a signature shoe collection by her name. On May 8, 2024, Parker assumed the position of President of Women’s Basketball at Adidas after her retirement.
  • Gatorade: Parker’s athleticism and versatility have made her a perfect ambassador for this iconic sports drink.
  • Kellogg’s: The former WNBA star has been featured in commercials for Special K and quite several other products..
  • Capital One: Candace Parker’s role in Capital One commercials further reveals her appeal beyond the basketball arena amid the audience.

According to reports, Parker earns about $1 – $2 million through endorsements.

Candace Parker Personal Assets

According to the real deal, Candace Parker’s personal assets include a modern farmhouse in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, which she purchased for $4 million in early 2021. The 6,300-square-foot home features five bedrooms, a home theater, and a backyard equipped with a pool, barbecue pit, and basketball court. Specific details about Parker’s personal cars are not publicly disclosed.

Advertisement

Skyscanner Banner

Candace Parker Net Worth

As of 2025, Candace Parker’s net worth is $8.1 million, as per the sourcing from Forbes. The backing behind her net worth stems from her unique identity in the world of basketball. For example, her dunk prowess is unmatched, and that’s why even brands show their inclination for a standout face like Candace Parker. The former WNBA athlete has so much potential even after retirement that there are rumors that she might buy a WNBA team soon, as per CBS Sports.

Parker’s earnings are a reflection of her career milestones. She’s not only a two-time WNBA champion but also a consistent top performer, making her a marketable athlete to brands and fans alike. Her media appearances, including broadcasting for the NBA on TNT, add another layer to her financial portfolio.

Candace Parker Career

Candace Parker
Candace Parker- Chicago Tribune

Candace Parker is the epitome of consistent efforts that pushed her toward greatness. It is evident from her WNBA resume but it is not just about the numbers from the professional leagues. It all started way before the hoopers perceived the growth of the former WNBA forward/Center. Her father, Larry Parker, played basketball for the University of Iowa during his prime days in the 1970s. Even Candace’s brother Anthony used to play basketball and is an NBA basketball player right now. Surrounded by so much athleticism, Candace did not choose basketball unless her father convinced her in her eighth grade.

From there, the big man started training her girl to be better. Candace once shared the experience of late training with her father for her passion, “He did things to make me mad, to challenge me, because I was so much more athletic and had so much more knowledge of the game than everyone else that sometimes I just coasted.”

“If me and my dad went to a park and he didn’t think I was practicing hard enough, he’d just get in the car and leave. And I’d have to run home. I mean run home. Once I figured that out, I’d always try to go to close-by parks, “ former WNBA star Candace further added.

Candace Parker High School Career

As she grew older, she chose Naperville Central High School for her early education. There, Candace Parker earned various honors like:

  • Naismith Prep Player of the Year
  • Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year
  • Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year (2004)
  • WBCA All-American
  • Selected in McDonald’s All-American

The shot for which Candace Parker is so famous is the slam dunk that she first made in her Sophomore year at Naperville Central High School. After that, another big occasion that witnessed her dunk was the McDonald All-American game, where she won the Slam Dunk contest against players like Josh Smith and others. She also led the USA Junior World Championship squad to the gold, averaging 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Later on, she chose the University of Tennessee as her next destination for education and athletics.

Candace Parker College Career

By the end of 2004, Candace Parker was already a part of the University of Tennessee basketball team. However, due to a knee injury, she could not take up the immediate spot on the team. Rather, she continued her role as a basketball lead in 2005. Her freshman year Candace was in highlight due to her double dunk in the NCAA tournament. Even in a prestigious tournament like the SEC, Candace Parker emerged as SEC Rookie of the Year. However, due to her early exit from a game against North Carolina, the Lady Vols team lost the opportunity to get the game.

During her Sophomore year in 2007, Candace Parker set another milestone. She achieved the feat of being the fastest player to score 1000+ points in the program’s history. The steak for dominating the 2007 SEC tournament continued because Candace Parker still earned the 2007 SEC Player of the Year.

In her final year of eligibility for collegiate basketball, Candace Parker chose to step up and leave the college for the WNBA draft. Overall, she averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game in her whole collegiate career.

Candace Parker Professional Stats

Candace Parker Stats
Candace Parker- Static01

Her career numbers seem to highlight the very strong hold she has within the WNBA. The two-time MVP of the league as well as a seven-time All-Star, she showed consistently great performances on both ends of the court.

Let’s take a brief look at the transition of the numbers throughout Candace Parker’s career as per statistics from the ESPN database.

SeasonTeamGamesPPG (Points per game)RPG (Rebounds per game)APG (Assists per game)
2008Los Angeles Sparks3318.59.52.3
2012Los Angeles Sparks2717.49.73.3
2020Los Angeles Sparks2214.79.74.6
2021Chicago Sky2313.38.44.0
2023Las Vegas Aces2012.17.93.5
Candace Parker WNBA stats

Another fact that makes Candace Parker even more famous is her versatility. She is also the first player in the WNBA to accomplish a triple-double in both regular season and playoff matches, which bridges her as one of the most versatile players in all of league history.

Advertisement

Candace Parker Instagram

Looking at Parker's 1,469, one can clearly determine how close she keeps her 1.1 million fans. The WNBA player usually uses her Instagram ID @candaceparker to keep her fans updated regarding all her endeavors. She regularly posts about her endorsements, her brand deals, and NBA/WNBA news.

Candace Parker Social Presence

X(Formerly Twitter): @Candace_Parker has about 380k followers and was active till December end of 2024

Candace Parker Awards and Achievements

Candace Parker had one of the most successful careers playing in the WNBA. She not only won 7x WNBA All-Star awards in 2011 but she also managed to clinch the title in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022 too.

Parker has managed to grab a lot of Awards throughout her career journey. Below, you can find a list of her most remarkable achievements through her 17-season WNBA career:

AwardYear
3x WNBA Champion2016, 2021, 2023
WNBA Finals MVP2016
2x WNBA MVP2008, 2013
WNBA All Star Game MVP2013
7x WNBA All-Star2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
7x All-WNBA First Team2008, 2012-14, 2017, 2020, 2022
WNBA Rookie of the Year2008
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year2020
WNBA Assists Leader2015
3x WNBA Rebounding Leader2008, 2009, 2021
2x WNBA Blocks Leader2009, 2012
3x WNBA Peak Performer2009, 2009, 2020
Candace Parker Awards and Achievements

Advertisement

Candace Parker Jersey

Candace Parker Jersey
Credits: Candace Parker's Official Instagram Handle

Candace Parker has worn multiple jersey numbers throughout her career, most notably No. 3 in college at Tennessee and No. 3 and No. 25 in the WNBA. She wore No. 3 while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks and later switched to No. 25 with the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. Her jersey is one of the most popular among WNBA fans.

Candace Parker Shoes

Candace Parker Shoes
Credits: Candace Parker's Official Instagram Handle

Candace Parker has been an Adidas athlete throughout her career. As per Kix Stats, she has worn Adidas Exhibit B Mid shoes for 64.6% of her game. The other times, she has won Adidas Exhibit Select Mid shoes and Adidas Exhibit A Mid shoes.

Advertisement

FAQs

Q. What is Candace Parker's net worth?
+
A. As per Forbes, the net worth of Candace Parker's net worth in 2024 is $8.1 million.
Q. What was Candace Parker's salary?
+
A. Candace Parker's most recent salary before retirement was $200,000 while playing for the Las Vegas Aces.
Q. How many rings does Candace Parker have?
+
A. Candace Parker has three WNBA championship rings won in the years 2016, 2021, and 2023.
Q. Why did Candace Parker retire?
+
A. As per Candace Parker, she retired because she wanted to leave the game in a better place than she found it.
Q. What team does Candace Parker play for in 2024?
+
A. Before retirement, Candace Parker used to play for the Las Vegas Aces in 2024.
Q. Is Candace Parker president of Adidas?
+
A. Yes, Candace Parker is the present president of women's basketball at Adidas.

Conversation

(0 Comments)

Loading comments...

Trending

Edited by- Gincy Abraham
Follow Us:
sportsdunia google newssportsdunia google news

Editor's Pick