Candace Parker’s Net Worth, Career Highlights, and Legacy in the WNBA

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 Biography

Date of Birth	April 19, 2986
Age	38 years (as of 2024)
Birth Place	Naperville, Illinois, USA
Position	Forward/Center
College/University	University of Tennessee
Height	6 feet 4 inches
Weight	184 lbs
Teams	(2008-2020) Los Angeles Sparks (2021-2022) Chicago Sky (2023-2024) Las Vegas Aces
Spouse	Anna Petrakova
Draft Info	2008 WNBA First Round First Pick
Experience	17 Seasons

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.

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.

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. The freshman year of 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 has 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 Net Worth 2024: How Much Is She Worth?

As of 2024, 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 Salary: What She Earns From Basketball

Candace Parker’s earnings have increased during the course of 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 really 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’s WNBA Salaries Over the Years:

Year	Team	Salary
2008	Los Angeles Sparks	$44,064
2012	Los Angeles Sparks	$95,000
2020	Los Angeles Sparks	$190,550
2021–2022	Chicago Sky	$195,000/year
2023–Present	Las Vegas Aces	$200,000/year

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.

Candace Parker Endorsements: Brands Backing Her Talent

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 a number of 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 Family and Social Life

Family, as a matter of fact, has always been the keystone of Candace Parker’s life. She is the younger sister of ex-NBA player Anthony Parker, and her 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 WNBA Stats: Record-Breaking Performance

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.

Career WNBA Stats:

Season	Team	Games	PPG (Points per game)	RPG (Rebounds per game)	APG (Assists per game)
2008	Los Angeles Sparks	33	18.5	9.5	2.3
2012	Los Angeles Sparks	27	17.4	9.7	3.3
2020	Los Angeles Sparks	22	14.7	9.7	4.6
2021	Chicago Sky	23	13.3	8.4	4.0
2023	Las Vegas Aces	20	12.1	7.9	3.5

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.

Teams Candace Parker Played For

Candace Parker has played for WNBA’s most iconic teams that drove her through the winds of growth:

1. Los Angeles Sparks: Selected as the first overall pick in 2008, Parker played 13 seasons with the Sparks, guiding them to a WNBA title in 2016.
2. Chicago Sky: Joining the Sky in 2021, Parker had an instant influence, assisting the team in securing its inaugural WNBA championship that season.
3. Las Vegas Aces: In 2023, Parker became a member of the Aces, enhancing her legacy with a dominant team.

Is Candace Parker Retired?

Candace Parker has officially retired in 2024 and will continue to play the sport. Parker stood up to her fans’ expectations and retired on April 28, 2024 soon after joining the Las Vegas Aces. She announced her adieu to the public through the Instagram post. However, fans did hope that the legend would continue to bless the court because of her long run and competitive fire. However, Candace Parker knows herself better and finds it fit to give up on the professional basketball scene.

Parker’s body and heart were the main contributors to her farewell to the sport. She also expressed in her message to the fans, “I’m retiring. I promised I’d never cheat the game and that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it”. She also said, “The competitor in me always wants one more, but it’s time. My heart and body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.”

Conclusion

Her story is one of achievement in sports, great riches, and a personal sense of fulfillment: Candace Parker has defined the contemporary sports icon with an almost mythical career in the WNBA, a multitude of endorsements, and, of course, her duties as a mother and wife. Now, with a net worth of $8.1 million and a legacy that extends beyond the sports world, Candace Parker continues to inspire stars and aspiring athletes with her journey.

Her contribution to sports and beyond is beyond doubt, and there is no question that, as her journey continues, she will make a tremendous difference across all the areas of her life. Whether you are a basketball fan or simply thrive on excellence, you would certainly want to pay homage to Candace Parker’s journey.

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