Candace Parker wins MVP, Rookie Awards

by Moondog, The World According to Moondog

Sliding under the radar a bit was the announcement last week that former Tennessee Lady Vol Candace Parker was selected as the WNBA's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year.

The double honor puts Parker in unique company, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Wes Unseld, Fred Lynn, Ichiro Suzuki and Jim Brown as the only players in professional sports to win MVP and Rookie of the Year.

Parker has had a busy 2008, helping Tennessee claim their second straight NCAA Women's basketball championship, the Lady Vols eighth since Pat Summitt took over as coach.

Parker was also voted the top women's player in college basketball earlier this year. Upon the conclusion of her college season, she entered the WNBA Draft and was selected as the overall top pick by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Parker averaged 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She had a high of 40 points and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 17 games. She led the league in double-doubles with 17, led the league in rebounding and led rookies in scoring, blocks (2.3 bpg) and minutes (33.6 mpg).

If the WNBA had an award for the sexiest player, Parker would've won that too. Although her Los Angeles Sparks team failed to make the WNBA finals, Parker is easily the female athlete of the year for 2008.