Candace Parker makes history as first woman to call NBA All-Star game: ‘I gotta pinch myself’

Just two months into 2023, Candace Parker has managed to shake up the basketball world twice. In the WNBA star’s latest move, Parker will make her All-Star Game Analyst debut as the first woman to call the event.

The Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green and play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson will also appear on the broadcast team for the midseason event, TNT announced Tuesday.

Green will join Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith for Inside the All-Star Game, an alternate show on TBS, while Anderson will be declaring the NBA All-Star Game for the first time. He is usually seen playing play-by-play for Milwaukee Bucks games, the NCAA tournament and “NBA on TNT.”

Parker, a two-time WNBA champion, unexpectedly announced plans to sign with the Las Vegas Aces late last month and has worked for Turner Sports since 2018.

Initially appearing on shows on NBA TV, TNT and March Madness, she joined the first cast of “Inside the NBA” in 2020 for one of their lively debates.

At 36, Parker has been breaking WNBA records and even making history as the first woman to cover the popular NBA2K video game. She also has her own production company called Baby Hair Productions, which released a documentary about Title IX during March Madness last year.

Her last performance at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on February 19 sounds like it’s going to be different than all those accomplishments.

“I’m first and foremost a fan of the NBA and the All-Star Game in particular,” Parker said in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Howard Beck. “And so I think the fan of the game and childhood Candace is – I have to pinch myself to believe that I do and that I’m able to have a pitchside seat to watch the best players.” the world to see.”

Even when Parker considered retiring from the WNBA last year, it would have been difficult to overestimate her impact on the game. As she now prepares for her sixteenth season as a player, we are reminded that her legacy will also live on through her efforts off the pitch.

Candace Parker continues to make history. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

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