Sports
Chicago Sky Star Parker Named All-Star Starter In Hometown Appearance
Candace Parker, the former Naperville Central standout, will play in her seventh WNBA All-Star game, which is on July 10 at Wintrust Arena.
CHICAGO — Candace Parker is no stranger to the WNBA All-Star Game, but after six previous appearances in the mid-season showcase, the Naperville native and Chicago Sky star will be part of the host city festivities.
Parker on Wednesday was named a starter in the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game which will be played on July 10 at Wintrust Arena. Parker, who has twice been named the league’s Most Valuable Player and who helped lead the Sky to their first WNBA championship last season, garnered the third-highest number of votes in All-Star balloting, which closed on Wednesday.
The former Naperville Central standout finished the All-Star balloting with 17,475 votes, the Sky announced on Wednesday. Parker finished in the vote casting behind Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson and Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart.
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The WNBA also announced that Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner will serve as an honorary All-Star starter. Griner has been held in a Russian prison after being arrested at an airport there in February. Griner, who played in a Russian professional league in the off-season, was arrested for possession of a narcotic substance after flying from New York to Moscow.
Parker, who was named the All-Star MVP in 2013, will represent the defending WNBA champions, is in her 14th WNBA season, and is averaging 12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game for the Sky this season.
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Parker, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2008 Rookie Of The Year, was the league’s defensive player of the year in 2020 in her final season with the Los Angeles Sparks before she returned home to Chicago last season.
“We’re excited for Candace, this is something that is totally merited, and she’s had an incredible year thus far,” Sky coach and general manager James Wade said in a news release. “You know we always love when we have players represent us in Chicago Sky uniforms and we’re proud of everything she has accomplished in a Sky uniform.
“This just epitomizes what she’s done so far and what she’s meant to us this year.”
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