Destiny has a funny way of finding you. When you least expect it, you look around and realize that everything you’ve gone through has led you to this point. That this moment in time is what was meant for you. Destiny is how one could describe Candace Parker’s career. A journey filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, the Naperville, IL, native has achieved more than anyone could ever imagine in a lifetime.
It’s an early morning off day for the Chicago Sky, who are playing the New York Liberty in a back-to-back series. Candace arrives in her practice gear and backpack ready for her SLAM cover shoot, and the minute she recognizes Jay-Z’s “Heart of the City” playing, she lights up and starts rapping every lyric. As she waits for the set to be ready, she picks up a ball, starts shooting around and continues spilling out every word of the song without missing a beat. At first glance, you wouldn’t think she’s the champion, TV analyst and overall legend that she is, but rather just a kid who loves to hoop, joke around and listen to Hov’s best bars. But then the list of accolades that goes on for pages and all of the historic moments in women’s basketball that she’s made happen to come to mind and you remember the greatness that is Candace Parker.