Few players can compete with Candace Parker’s remarkable resume. Whether at the high school, college, or professional level, Parker thrived in the basketball world and has a long list of personal accolades to show for it after an exceptional career.
This week, Parker’s wife, Anna Petrakova, posted a short clip of the former WNBA star at the Gatorade National Player of the Year awards dinner, an honor handed out to some of the nation’s most gifted high school athletes.
Anna Petrakova Brims With Pride As Candace Parker Speaks at Gatorade Player of the Year Dinner
Parker officially retired from professional basketball in 2024, but the 39-year-old remains involved with the sports world. The two-time WNBA MVPÂ works as a broadcaster and recently published a book titled “The Can-Do Mindset.”
However, this week brought a different kind of spotlight. Attendees of the Gatorade National Player of the Year awards dinner were fortunate enough to see Parker speak.
The former Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces forward was spotted passing down some words to the next generation of stars. Parker’s wife couldn’t contain her emotions as she documented the occasion and shared a short video from the event on Instagram.
“My baby @candaceparker speaking at the @gatorade National Player of the Year award dinner,” Petrakova captioned the pic.
The pride in her voice was unmistakable. For Petrakova, this represented more than just another speaking engagement.
What Makes Parker’s Connection to This Award So Special?
Like some of the promising young athletes at this year’s event, Parker was a highly rated high school athlete. She is a two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, winning the award in 2003 and 2004.
Coming out of Naperville Central High School, Parker decided to attend the University of Tennessee, where she went on to win back-to-back national championships and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2008.
The talented power forward didn’t slow down once she reached the pros. Over a 16-year career, Parker won three championships with three different organizations and was voted the league MVP twice.
This background gives her words extra weight when she speaks to young athletes. She’s walked their path, faced their pressures, and achieved their dreams. More importantly, she understands what it takes to sustain success at the highest level.
Parker first met Petrakova back in 2012 during their playing days together in Russia. The relationship developed over the years, and the two were married in 2019.
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Parker and Petrakova are parents to three children. Parker has a daughter from her previous relationship, and the couple welcomed their first child, Airr, in 2022. Last year, the former WNBA star announced the arrival of their third son on social media.
The family dynamic adds another layer to Parker’s post-basketball life. She stepped away from the league last year, and the decision allows her to spend more time with her family. She regularly posts content of herself hanging out and attending games with the family to her 1.1 million-plus followers on Instagram.
For Petrakova, watching Parker balance her role as a parent with her continued involvement in basketball represents the best of both worlds. Her partner gets to stay connected to the sport she loves while being present for their growing family.
MORE: WNBA Legend Candace Parker Gets Candid About Returning to Sparks Weeks After Giving Birth
