When the panel met to choose the 2021 AP Female Athlete of the Year they did not choose an Olympian or a tennis star; but chose to make history by selecting a member of WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association.

Winning for the second time in her career, Chicago Sky star Candice Parker has been named the Female Athlete of the Year!  It has been 13 years since she last won the award.  She last won the award in her rookie year.

Prior to coming to the Sky, Parker had spent her entire career playing in Los Angeles for the Sparks.  Going home to Chicago, she helped the Sky win their first WNBA championship.

Parker spoke on her returning home in a phone interview saying, “there was something about going to where you started playing the game.  It’s exciting to play in front of the people who first saw me pick up a basketball. To win at home, I’m just now recognizing it a little bit. How special that really is. Something that is top on my list.”

The 35 year old professional basketball player and mom also works as an analyst on TNT.

Parker continued, “I’m really thankful for those who made my journey and the people who supported me making it as smooth as possible. My daughter, my wife, my immediate family, we rolled with it. We wanted it.  Things are going to get hard, but stick with it.”

Winning the championship with the Chicago Sky was not Parker’s first award…she helped to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a championship in 2016, won two championship titles while in college at Tennessee, and is a two time gold medal winning Olympian.  She is one of only 14 players to win championships as a college player, Olympian, and pro.

Parker’s eleven first place votes edged out gold medal Olympians Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke on Parker and the Chicago Sky championship saying, “you couldn’t write a better story than the one of Candace Parker bringing the WNBA championship to her hometown in her first season with the Chicago Sky.  On top of her accomplishments on the court and in the studio, she has continued to be a leader and role model to many, including working moms around the world. The WNBA is proud to have players like Candace who continually raise the bar and elevate the game and our league to the highest level.”

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