Candace Parker to Join Sparks After WNBA All-Star Weekend
Published on July 21, 2015 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
LOS ANGELES -Los Angeles Sparks forward/center Candace Parker will join the team after the WNBA All-Star weekend, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Penny Toler.
"We are happy to have a healthy and well-rested Candace Parker back with the Sparks," said Penny Toler. "Her wish was to rest and prepare her body to compete this season. Now that she's ready, we look forward to her joining her teammates and helping us spark our second half push."
Parker will play her first game on July 29 in Minnesota to tip-off a three-game road trip against the Lynx, Chicago Sky (7/31) and San Antonio Stars (8/2). Her first home game will be August 4 vs. Minnesota at STAPLES Center on ESPN2.
"We are excited that Candace will join our team after the All-Star game," said Sparks head coach Brian Agler. "Candace has been an influential part of the Sparks ?for several years and a big part of its success. She as been an All-Star and an MVP, and we are sure she will influence great play by the Sparks in the future."
Prior to the 2015 WNBA season, Parker announced she would miss an undetermined number of games in order to be 100% healthy before joining the team.
Parker has played her entire seven-year career in Los Angeles. The #1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, she became the first WNBA player to win both the MVP and Rookie of the Year award in the same season. A two-time WNBA MVP (2008,2013), three-time WNBA All-Star (2011,2013,2014), including 2013 All-Star MVP, and a three-time All-WNBA First Team selection (2012,2013,2014), Parker has two Olympic Gold medals as a member of Team USA (2008, 2012).
Through 179 career games (176 starts), she holds averages of 17.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 32.0 minutes. Last season, she led the Sparks in scoring (19.4 ppg), assists (4.3 apg) and tied for second in rebounds, averaging 7.1 per game.
The Los Angeles Sparks will host the Phoenix Mercury (July 21) and New York Liberty (July 22) at STAPLES Center before the 2015 WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 in Connecticut. For Sparks individual and group tickets, in all lower-bowl sections of STAPLES Center, call 844-GO-SPARKS or visit LASparks.com.
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