Former Lady Vol legend Candace Parker spent this fall bolstering her already impressive resume, leading the Chicago Sky on a deep playoff run. Sunday, Parker ascended to the top of the basketball world again as the Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury in game four to win the WNBA Finals.
This season was Parker’s first in Chicago as the two-time college national champion returned to her roots. Parker played high school basketball in Naperville, Illinois, a town 32 miles west of Chicago.
In the best of five series, Parker averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Parker adds a second WNBA title to her impressive resume that includes a Finals MVP, two regular season MVP awards and six all star game appearances.
Here are the best reactions from the Tennessee and basketball world as Parker claimed her second title.
From the Chicago Sky
✶✶✶✶ pic.twitter.com/d84HkLAJiU
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 17, 2021
For Naperville.
For Joliet. pic.twitter.com/XrVdVTAeIo— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 17, 2021
Good morning #skytown pic.twitter.com/qUkWXSKpJM
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 18, 2021
From ESPN
Candace Parker was emotional as the Sky were on the verge of their first-ever WNBA Championship 🥺 pic.twitter.com/I1K1A2C3Bf
— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2021
Candace Parker and her daughter Lailaa ❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/QbGWiDgAk2
— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2021
SHE DID IT‼️@Candace_Parker goes home and helps get the Sky their first WNBA championship in her first season. pic.twitter.com/2YkbcDP7kU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2021
From Tennessee head women’s basketball coach Kellie Harper
Congratulations to this 2021 WNBA Champion! 🧡🧡🧡 pic.twitter.com/OkUUxuXDzw
— Kellie Harper (@KellieHarper) October 17, 2021
From the Lady Vols’ Twitter account
WNBA CHAMPS! 🏆
Three #LVFLs hoisting the trophy after an AMAZING, series-clinching Game 4 win!
• @Candace_Parker
• @diamonddoesit1
• @1tonyaedwards (AC) pic.twitter.com/oaRGCiwxCC— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) October 17, 2021
From various sports stars
IM HAPPY AS HELL FOR CP!!! @Candace_Parker This is one for the Legacy books!!! 🤍 Salute!! #WNBAFinals
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) October 17, 2021
Shoutout @candace_parker and the Sky for getting the job done! WNBA Champs! pic.twitter.com/1KflLTcVlG
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) October 17, 2021
happy for @Candace_Parker 🙌🏽🙌🏽 dats so tough 🔥🔥
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) October 17, 2021
LEGEND!!!!! @Candace_Parker went back home and got that chip!!! Congrts to @chicagosky on winning y’all first 🏆
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) October 17, 2021
I started crying around the 2 min mark and the tears of joy are still flowing! Man, I'm SO DAMN HAPPY for @Candace_Parker and the @chicagosky EPIC series #WNBAFinals
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) October 17, 2021
From Tennessee assistant men’s basketball coach Rod Clark
Dear @chicagosky thank you for a memorable #WNBAFinals!!!! Was dope for women’s sports, and sports in general. Glad my daughter could watch @Candace_Parker win a chip! Lol she has no clue what that means but it’s still dope! #Love
— Rod Clark (@CoachRodC_UT) October 17, 2021
Parker herself, shouting out Pat Summitt postgame
Candace Parker with a shout out to Pat Summitt after she helps the Chicago Sky win the WNBA title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/B5mBWiOCa6
— Vol Basketball Fever (@VolHoopsFever) October 17, 2021
Best of the rest
Job’s done. @Candace_Parker pic.twitter.com/wLrE9k7ITl
— Justine Brown (@Justine_Brown) October 18, 2021
.@Candace_Parker adds another 🏆 to the case.
The @chicagosky are the 2021 WNBA Champs! pic.twitter.com/K7go62exnu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 17, 2021
Candace Parker to all her critics after winning the WNBA championship pic.twitter.com/GreN4GvKqT
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 17, 2021
2013 ➡️ 2016 ➡️ 2021
Candace Parker's daughter Lailaa has been with her every step of the way 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Swy5Po2OCY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2021
The difference a few years make. @Candace_Parker pic.twitter.com/0hBVKGDw32
— Justine Brown (@Justine_Brown) October 18, 2021
For any little girl who grew up playing ball in Illinois… you know how special today is. Thank you for bringing a championship back to Chicago @Candace_Parker and @alliequigley. pic.twitter.com/faOraSBNbx
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) October 17, 2021
If Candace Parker hit me with her car, I’d say thank you.
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) October 17, 2021
