Candace Parker is one of the most legendary figures in the history of women’s college basketball.
Parker led the Lady Vols to two national championships, won two NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Awards, and won two John R. Wooden Awards, just to name some of her accomplishments.
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After making her mark with the Lady Vols, Parker then went on to become one of the best WNBA players of all time as well. Parker played in the league for 16 seasons and won a title with three different teams, had her jersey retired by two teams, won two WNBA MVPs, and was a seven-time all-star.
As Jeep knows best, some don’t wait for the trail to appear — they pave it. Timed to Women’s History Month and March Madness, SB Nation’s Game Changers will shine a spotlight on the legends of Women’s NCAA Basketball – players who shifted culture and broke the mold. Through ownership of this month-long series, Jeep will shine as the vehicle that embodies and empowers that free spirit — inviting its drivers to forge their own path, push boundaries, and change the game.
It’s impossible to talk about March Madness without mentioning Parker, so today, let’s take a look back at some of her most timeless moments.
2006: Parker becomes the first woman to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game
In 2006, Parker was just a freshman but was already making her mark. Thanks to Parker’s efforts, the Lady Vols earned a No. 2 seed in the tournament and took on 15-seeded Army in the first round.
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The Lady Vols were obviously huge favorites in the game, and it was clear that Parker wanted to make an impact in her first tournament game. Less than 10 minutes into the contest, Parker became the first woman to ever dunk in an NCAA Tournament game.
Becoming the first to ever do it was impressive enough, but Parker wasn’t satisfied. About 20 minutes later, Parker slammed it down again for her second dunk of the game. It was an incredible feat at the time and is still looked back on as one of the most legendary moments in March Madness history.
2007: Parker records double-double while leading Lady Vols to Sweet 16
Parker and the Lady Vols suffered a devastating defeat to North Carolina in the Elite 8 during Parker’s freshman season. However, the Lady Vols bounced right back in 2007, and Parker wasn’t going to be knocked out early again.
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In the Round of 32, the Lady Vols faced off against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Parker took matters into her own hands and recorded a monstrous stat line. Parker recorded a double-double for the first time in the NCAA Tournament and ended with 30 points and 12 rebounds.
As a result of Parker’s efforts, the Lady Vols escaped with a 68-54 victory and earned a spot in the Sweet 16. Which leads us to our next moment…
2007: Parker scores 17 as Lady Vols win championship matchup with Rutgers
After the double-double against Pittsburgh, the Lady Vols moved on to face Marist in the Sweet 16. The Lady Vols made quick work of Marist and then destroyed Ole Miss in the Elite 8. The Tar Heels put up a good battle in the Final 4, but the Lady Vols advanced to the championship against Rutgers.
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This was Parker’s first opportunity to play in a championship game, and she stepped up. Parker recorded 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, and the Lady Vols went on to win 59-46.
This was the first championship for the Lady Vols since the 1997-98 season, and Parker was a major reason for the victory. Parker earned her first NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award after the performance.
2008: Parker has career game in Sweet 16 against Notre Dame
Fresh off the title from 2007, the Lady Vols came out hot again in the 2008 season, looking to go back-to-back.
In the opening round of the tournament, the Lady Vols destroyed Oral Roberts by a score of 94-55. Then, in the Round of 32, the team made quick work of Purdue, winning 78-52. The Sweet 16 matchup, though, was much closer, against a very good Notre Dame team.
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But, as fans had learned, the bigger the moment, the better Parker played. Against Notre Dame, Parker scored 34 points, which is the most points she ever scored in a tournament game. The star also added 13 rebounds and four blocks, and it was very clear the Lady Vols would not have won the game without Parker.
This game still goes down as one of her best-career performances.
2008: Parker scores 17 as Lady Vols win back-to-back titles
After Parker’s all-time performance against Notre Dame, the Lady Vols had two consecutive tough matchups against SEC teams. The Lady Vols knocked off Texas A&M in the Elite 8 and then escaped with a one-point victory over LSU in the Final Four.
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This set up a match between Tennessee and Stanford in the final. And once again, Parker stepped up when it mattered most. The legend scored 17 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and came away with four steals. The Lady Vols ended up successfully defending their title, winning 64-48.
Parker easily could have had an even bigger stat line, but the Lady Vols dominated the game anyway. Parker received her second-straight Most Outstanding Player Award after the game and went on to be the No.1 pick in the WNBA draft after the season.
