by Adrianne Grayson

Created on: February 14, 2007   Last Updated: March 09, 2007

Candace Parker of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers
6'2, with long swan like arms. She moves on the court as if everyone else is wading through water. One moment she is posting up a smaller player, the next she is leading a fast break. When she isn't doing either of those things, she is sprinting down the court with her long legs for an easy dunk. Dunk? Candace Parker of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers can dunk.

Parker is only a sophomore at the University but has gained notoriety for her ability to dunk. She gained national acclaim when she did it twice in a game during the playoffs. Never mind, her ability to score from every angle on the court. Never mind her speed and quickness at her height to play basketball at a different level than most women in the college game. Because of the overwhelming fixation of dunks ran on ESPN for the NBA. You would think the only thing men knew how to do is dunk. Being a female and dunking, well that just isn't seen. For Parker to be able to dunk whenever she wants, and consistently that draws more to the women's game.
Women's college basketball has grown. The players are quicker more savvy and athletic than before. That can be due impart by the men's college game and the NBA. With the WNBA holding strong for eleven years there is somewhere women can play in the states, instead of going overseas for nine months at a time. Women can now aspire for a playing career that does not take them millions of mile to a foreign country (if they so chose).
Parker is the only player between her basket in the open court. There is no one chasing after her. She takes one more look over her right shoulder as she nears the basket. She picks the ball up figuring she will just stride the rest of the way to the basket. She picks the ball up from the dribble with her left hand and puts the ball in her right. Close to the basket she elevates with the ball extended in her right hand gripped tightly. She leaps with the ball up and over the rim. Success. The crowd goes crazy for what she considers normal and what a non-basketball fan considers unbelievable. She stands head cocked to the side with a smirk on her face. The cameras love it and so are we.
Parker future is beyond bright. Once she enters the draft for the WNBA she is more than likely the poster child for the changing of the game. The WNBA knows with Parkers ability that they will be able to market her and get sponsors well beyond any other player in the league. A natural beauty, Parker is exactly what the league wants to model. She is already in magazines; she might as well be getting paid for it after her college career is over with. With the hopes of the WNBA staying around for as long as the NBA the gifts and talents of Parker is something that the league will need in order to continue to strive.

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