Even an on-court brawl six days before the WNBA’s Olympic break1 could not dim Candace Parker’s enthusiasm about making her Olympic debut. “I’m very excited to be heading to my first Olympics,” she says. “I’ve watched it on television forever. Dreamed of playing there forever. To be representing my country, it’s going to be a great experience.
“I’ve waited for it forever. Thankfully, forever hasn’t been too long.”
After all, Parker, 22, has been on the Senior National Team for two years, the first collegian to play in a major world championship in more than a decade.2
“I’ve had experience playing with the National Team, obviously not on this level of the Olympics,” says Parker. “Everybody circles that on their calendars. I had the opportunity to play in the World Championships, which I think prepared me a little bit for international play.”
Accompanying Parker to Beijing are her mother and fiancé, Sacramento Kings forward/center Shelden Williams.3 Present in spirit will be her dogs, Nino, a 14-year-old Pug, and Cindy, a 3-year-old Saint Bernard. “I take pictures of my dogs with me, because I miss them,” she says.
This year’s top WNBA draft pick and pretty much unchallenged contender for Rookie of the Year has had a couple of months to get in the groove of playing with Sparks teammate Lisa Leslie, who is heading to her fourth Olympics. While Parker gladly emulates Leslie in many respects, she’s not aiming to match Leslie’s Olympic record. “By my late 30s, I plan on being retired, fat and happy,” she says.4
Although she came into the WNBA after winning two National Championships at the University of Tennessee, Parker has been eager to improve her game so she can dominate in the pros. “My game has grown a lot in the last couple of months playing for a coach like Michael Cooper, who has tremendous knowledge of the game and who’s been a player himself,” she says. “In the time that we’ve had since April, I’ve learned a lot. It’s been a great experience.
“Obviously, the offseason is where you learn a lot more. I’m looking forward to spending some time working with him.”—Lois Elfman #40
Bonus Points
1. In total, five members of the Los Angeles Sparks, five Detroit Shock players and Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn received suspensions ranging from one to four games. Parker and fellow Olympians Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton-Jones all missed a game against the Connecticut Sun.
2. Parker won bronze at the World Championship in 2006 and won gold at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship.
3. Williams also has some experience with USA Basketball, winning gold at the 2005 World University Games while he was at Duke.
4. At least she got to meet David Beckham in her prime, when he presented her with the 2008 ESPY for Best Female Athlete.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images