Candace Parker biography, husband, married, net worth, salary

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<h2>Early Life and Family Background</h2>
<p>Candace Parker, born in 1986 in St. Louis, Missouri, is an acclaimed American basketball player known for her exceptional talent and versatility. She was raised in Naperville, Illinois, where her family's deep-rooted love for basketball greatly influenced her early years. Her older brother, Anthony Parker, is a former NBA player who retired in 2012.</p>

<p>Initially uncertain about following in her father’s and brother’s footsteps, Parker explored soccer before eventually embracing basketball in eighth grade at her parents' encouragement. Her father, Larry Parker, who was also her first coach, played a pivotal role in her development. His disciplined approach—often demanding effort and consistency during their training sessions at local parks—instilled in her a competitive spirit that would define her career.</p>

<h2>High School Career and Achievements</h2>
<p>Parker attended Naperville Central High School, where she quickly emerged as a basketball prodigy. Her extraordinary performances earned her numerous accolades, including the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year awards. During her high school career, she made headlines by becoming the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, signaling her future as a trailblazer in women’s basketball.</p>

<h2>Professional Career in the WNBA</h2>
<p>Candace Parker was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She made an immediate impact by setting a league record for most points scored in a debut game against the Phoenix Mercury. In her rookie season, she earned both the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards—an unprecedented dual accomplishment in WNBA history.</p>

<p>Her momentum slowed between 2009 and 2011 due to recurring injuries and the birth of her daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, in 2009. However, she returned to form in 2012 and remained a top-tier player through 2014. Although she missed part of the 2015 season, her performance remained strong enough to earn a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team.</p>

<h2>International Play and Off-Season Teams</h2>
<p>Like many WNBA players, Parker augmented her income by playing overseas during the league's off-season. She has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, one of the top women’s basketball clubs globally. At the time, typical WNBA player salaries ranged from approximately $36,570 to $103,500, prompting many athletes to seek international opportunities for higher earnings.</p>

<h2>Team USA and Olympic Success</h2>
<p>Parker joined the USA Basketball Women's National Team’s training camp in 2009 and participated in the UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational that year. She later represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympics, where she helped the national team secure a gold medal. Her contributions on the international stage further solidified her reputation as one of basketball’s elite players.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Net Worth</h2>
<p>In 2008, Candace Parker married Shelden Williams, a fellow basketball player who also played in the NBA. The couple welcomed their daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, in 2009. As of 2015, Parker's estimated net worth was approximately $2 million, stemming from her WNBA salary, overseas contracts, and endorsement deals.</p>

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