She has proven that being a mom did not stop her to be a WNBA superstar. She is a supermom and a superstar, Candace Parker.
Her achievements in women’s basketball, her decision to returned to competition after 48 days had daughter with Shelden Williams and her focus to her career and family especially after she had her daughter, Lailaa, have made all the attention – grabbing headlines.
Parker’s spirit to comeback after her shoulder injury in 2010 and the way she look into the offseason as a blessing in disguise to be better in her field.
“I’ve had a chance to really focus on getting healthy and improving my game,” Parker says. “I had a busy regimen filled with rehab, weightlifting, and basketball workouts. After missing most of last season, I feel I have a lot to prove and was hungry to get back on the court.”
Being a mother of a 2½ years old daughter, Lailaa, ultimately made her a better player even she admits to balance it quite hard if no help from the family. She says, “The balance was tough at first, but I have the hang of things now.”
“I have an extremely good support system in my family and friends, who help me in any way I need them. When I became a mother, I knew it wasn’t about me anymore. The times of sleeping until noon and being able to just do what I want were over. I do not feel in this day in age you should have to sacrifice your career for being a mother and vice versa. Obviously, being a mom comes first, but basketball is extremely important to me. I have never spent a night away from Lailaa and I thank God that she is a fantastic traveler and an even better kid.”
As professional player, Parker plays for the UMMC club in Ekaterinburg in central Russia, the team she play is really supporting her situation with two profession as athlete and mother.
“My cousin, Kellie, is overseas and watches Lailaa for me while I am at practice or games. Lailaa is an amazing child that adapts to every situation that she is in. She has more stamps in her passport and frequent-flier miles before her second birthday than most people get in a lifetime. Playing basketball and being a mom takes a lot of patience, but it is extremely rewarding.”
