NEWSLETTER
As good as the Chicago Bulls have been this season, they’re not yet the best basketball team in town.
The Chicago Sky are the reigning WNBA champions for the first time in franchise history. Despite entering the WNBA playoffs with a .500 record, the team drove full force toward a Finals upset over Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury. Finals MVP and breakout star Kahleah Cooper was a big reason why, but a championship run would not have been possible without hometown kid Candace Parker.
After 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker decided to return home and sign with the Chicago Sky before the 2021 season. Parker brought with her a ring, five All-Star apperances, two MVP awards, a Rookie of the Year trophy, and a number of other impressive accolades. Her veteran presence helped turn the Sky into legtimate title contenders, and her big-time shots in the playoffs paved the way for a historic victory.
With all of that in mind, it comes as no surprise that the Chicago superstar was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year:
More history for @Candace_Parker 📝
Congrats on being named the @AP Female Athlete of the Year 👏 pic.twitter.com/E4RZX5Q3H2
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 29, 2021
For reference, this is only the SECOND time a WNBA player has taken home the award. The first time it happened came back in 2008 when … yup … a dominant rookie named Candace Parker got the nod.
You gotta love seeing Chicago basketball players get their flowers!
To read what Parker had to say on the achievement, make sure to check out the AP’s post below.
BREAKING: Candace Parker, who led the Chicago Sky to the franchise’s first WNBA championship, has been named The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year for a second time.
by @dougfeinberg
https://t.co/vPooKQBMIO— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 29, 2021
