Candace Parker Hall of Fame nomination is official

Candace Parker Hall of Fame nomination news is official. Parker is a first-time nominee and eligible candidate for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

The Los Angeles Sparks took Parker No. 1 overall in the 2008 WNBA draft. The second she got to the league she took over, nearly averaging a double-double as a rookie. She put up 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game with 2.3 blocks.

She became the first and only WNBA player to win Rookie of the Year (ROTY) and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the same season. In general, the only other NBA players to achieve this feat are Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld.

Her accomplishments did not stop with an MVP and ROTY. She added a second MVP award, a Finals MVP award and a Defensive Player of the Year award. Additionally, she was a seven-time All-Star and had 10 All-WNBA selections. She also made the All-Defensive WNBA Second Team twice.

Parker’s career averages were very impressive. She averaged 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists with 1.5 blocks on 47.9 percent shooting from the field. Typically, professional athletes need years to perfect their craft. Then they experience a drop in stats at the end of their career.

Related stories