Candace Parker will make history as the first woman to act as a color commentator for the NBA All-Star Game in its 72-year history.
Parker’s been a valuable member of TNT’s NBA coverage since she joined in 2018. She’s served as both an in-studio analyst and a color commentator during the WNBA’s offseason. Parker is a 15-year WNBA veteran and former first-overall pick in the 2008 draft.
She signed with the Las Vegas Aces last week after two years with the Chicago Sky and 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. The WNBA season begins May 19.
Parker already has her post-retirement career set, and she’ll join an expanding group of former WNBA players excelling in post-playing careers in the NBA.
Jenny Boucek (Pacers), Teresa Weatherspoon (Pelicans) and Lindsey Harding (Kings) are assistant coaches on teams that are in the top 10 of their respective conferences, which would be good enough for a spot in the play-in tournaments.
Boston and New Orleans are perhaps the two deepest teams in the league, and it’s likely no coincidence former WNBA players are in charge of player and team development in both organizations.
Swin Cash is the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the Pelicans and Allison Feaster is vice president of player and organizational development with the Celtics.
Hyped young players for the Pelicans and Celtics including Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson have all done great things already in their careers, and so have more unheralded players such as Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Grant Williams and Robert Williams.
Then there’s former Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, who most recently got her first WNBA championship as a head coach when the Las Vegas Aces won in 2022. She previously interviewed for head coaching positions in the NBA and it should only be a matter of time before she lands one.
Parker’s high-profile assignment is just the latest sign of women’s increased role in the NBA. With the success WNBA players are having, it’s a wonder why it doesn’t happen more often.
