Candace Parker

Candace Parker capped a 16-year WNBA career in 2024 as a three-time champion (2016, 2021, 2023) and two-time league MVP (2008, 2013) — the only player in WNBA history to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season — and also won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA. In her first year of eligibility, she was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, and has since stepped into roles as a broadcaster and as President of Women's Basketball for Adidas.

Parker established the Candace Parker Foundation to help young people, particularly girls, pursue opportunities without limits — through mentorship, grants, and resources aimed at building confidence and breaking down barriers. Its signature Glass Ceiling Grants program funds youth-serving organizations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Knoxville, and Atlanta, supporting programs that help kids challenge stereotypes and access new opportunities for advancement.

Westcoast Sports Associates honored Candace Parker with the Roy Firestone Award in 2024, recognizing a trailblazing playing career and a foundation dedicated to expanding opportunity for the next generation of young women.