Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of Candace Parker:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Candace Nicole Parker
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: 38 years old (born April 19, 1986)
  • Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri, USA (raised in Naperville, Illinois)
  • Height: 6’4″ (1.93 m)
  • Weight: 181 lbs (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6’8″
  • Shoe Size: 13 US (women’s)
  • Jersey Number: #3
  • Position: Forward / Center
  • High School: Naperville Central High School (Naperville, Illinois)
  • College: University of Tennessee (2004–2008)
  • WNBA Draft: Selected 1st overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020)
    • Chicago Sky (2021–2022)
    • Las Vegas Aces (2023)
  • Championship Rings: 2 WNBA Championships (2016 with the Sparks, 2021 with the Sky)
  • Children: 2 children—daughter Lailaa (born in 2009) and a son (born in 2023)
  • Siblings: She has two older brothers:
    • Anthony Parker: A former NBA player
    • Marcus Parker: A doctor

Player Archetype / Play Style

Candace Parker’s player archetype is that of a point forward, a rare frontcourt initiator who blended big-player size with guard-like vision, ballhandling, and offensive control. Defensively, she brought true frontcourt versatility, with the mobility to switch, the instincts to protect the rim from the weak side, and the rebounding presence to finish possessions. Offensively, Parker functioned as a playmaking hub as much as a scorer, capable of pushing in transition, creating from the elbows or high post, operating in pick-and-roll, and punishing defenses as both a passer and inside-out scorer. Physically, her 6-foot-4 frame, fluid movement, and unusual coordination made her one of the most dynamic and mobile bigs of her era. Her overall play style was cerebral, adaptable, and matchup-warping, built around all-around skill, positional versatility, and the uncommon ability to look like a lead guard and a franchise big in the same game. (WNBA)

Sources:

WNBA — Instant Analysis: Assessing Candace Parker’s Fit in Las Vegas
WNBA — ELITE is ELITE: Dropping Dimes
WNBA — Tip-Off Analysis: Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty
ESPN — The best draft prospect bracket: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA