July 17, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY

Parker Brings Home Two ESPY Awards

Los Angeles Sparks’ WNBA Rookie of the Year candidate Candace Parker came home a winner from the 2008 ESPY Awards.

Parker won the coveted best female athlete award, beating a distinguished list that included golfer Lorena Ochoa, auto racer Danica Patrick and skier Lindsey Vonn.

In the best female college athlete category, Parker was selected over Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher and North Carolina field hockey standout Rachel Dawson.
 
"I was thrilled when I heard I was nominated for two awards,” Parker said.  “It was a huge honor just to be nominated and then to win, it feels great.”

Awards are nothing new for the 22-year-old Parker.  Prior to being drafted by the Sparks, she was selected college player of the year after leading Tennessee to its second consecutive NCAA title.

Fans determined the ESPY winners in 37 categories by voting online or with mobile phones. The 16th annual ESPY awards hosted by Justin Timberlake airs on ESPN Sunday, July 20 at 6 p.m. PDT.   

Parker is enjoying an outstanding rookie season, having shattered the previous rookie mark of points scored in a debut game with 34 and leading all rookies in scoring average, (18.7), rebounds per game, (9.5), assists per game, (3.8), blocks per game, (2.4) and minutes, (33.9).  Parker is also in the top 10 in the WNBA in scoring average, rebounds per game and is second in blocks behind Lisa Leslie.

The Sparks are on the road leading up to the Olympic break, where Parker, along with teammates Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton-Jones, will help lead Team USA in pursuit of a gold medal in Beijing.

The Sparks return to Staples Center Thursday, Aug. 28, against the Sacramento Monarchs.  
For Sparks’ ticket information, call 1-877-44-SPARKS. Tickets also are available by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX or by visiting either Ticketmaster.com or wnba.com/tickets.

About the Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks are in their 12th season in the Women’s National Basketball Association.  The Sparks are one of the eight original teams in the WNBA.  In December 2006, the Sparks were purchased by Gemini Basketball, LLC and they are one of seven WNBA teams owned and operated independent of NBA teams. For the first time in franchise history, the Sparks won the top pick for the 2008 WNBA Draft and selected college basketball player of the year Candace Parker of two-time NCAA champion Tennessee.  The Sparks were led to back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2001 & 2002 by head coach Michael Cooper.  The team’s roster of star athletes is led by three-time league MVP Lisa Leslie and includes All-Star forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year Temeka Johnson, stand-out 2007 rookie Sidney Spencer and Parker. The Sparks play their home games at STAPLES Center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. For Sparks’ ticket information, call 1-877-44-SPARKS.