Candace Parker has had an amazing 2008

Correspondent Written on October 06, 2008

Candace Parker, the 6'4" forward for the Los Angeles Sparks has had a year few athletes, male or female, can lay claim to. It all began with winning the second of her back to back NCAA titles with the Tennessee Volunteers, despite an injured shoulder.

Shortly there after she was the top pick in the WNBA draft.

In her first game as a pro she dominated, posting the best debut in WNBA history. Missing a triple double by two assists, scoring 34 and grabbing 12 boards.

On May 29th, she put up 16 points, 16 rebounds, six blocked shots, five assists and five steals.

She led all rookies with astounding numbers: 18.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg and 33.6 mpg on her way to winning Rookie of the Year honors.

Candace was deservedly named the leagues' MVP. She is the first player to receive both ROY and MVP, in the same season, in league history.

She led the league in double-doubles with 17, had 12 games in which she scored 20+ points, and 17 in which she grabbed 10+ boards. She tallied 30 or more points in three games, including her career high 40 on July 9.

Parker led the league in rebounds, and finished fourth in points, and second in blocks.

She also made the first team ALL WNBA and helped her team make the playoffs.

Along the way she also helped team USA capture the gold in Beijing.

The only thing that would have made it sweeter, would have been to get a ring. It may not have happened this year but it's only a matter of time.

Click here to see all her numbers and awards

photo courtesy Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

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written on October 06, 2008 Opinion