Candace Parker expecting baby this spring

Posted January 06, 2009 10:00 pm

Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- University of Tennessee officials say Naperville native Candace Parker is expecting her first child.

In a statement Wednesday, Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks said she and husband Shelden Williams of the Sacramento Kings are looking forward to having their first child this spring.

In 2008, the former Tennessee player was the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Sparks and was the first woman in the WNBA to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Additionally, she captured an Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing.

Parker will continue to work out in preparation for the 2009 WNBA season.

Parker's head coach at Tennessee, Pat Summitt, and Penny Toler, Los Angeles Sparks general manager, both congratulated Parker in statements.

Summitt told Parker that if she has a little girl, she hopes she'll be a future Lady Vol.

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