Naperville preparing to dedicate basketball court in Parker's honor
Young basketball players in Naperville soon will have a constant reminder of the success they can achieve.
Naperville Park District on Thursday will rename a basketball court at Spring-Field Park in honor of WNBA star Candace Parker, who grew up in Naperville and first came to fame here.
"Candace represents somebody that achieved greatness by working hard and having good moral values and coming from a solid family background," park district Executive Director Ray McGury said Tuesday. "She honed her skills on that court."
Parker's resume includes an Olympic gold medal, two NCAA championships with the University of Tennessee and two state titles with Naperville Central High School in addition to dozens of individual honors.
She now plays for the Los Angeles Sparks but will be in Naperville Thursday for the court dedication ceremony.
The event begins at 11 a.m. at 2031 Springside Circle.
On-site parking will be limited so organizers recommend taking a shuttle bus from Kingsley Elementary School, 2403 Kingsley Drive. The bus will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The court at Spring-Field Park is a familiar one for Parker. She grew up nearby and played basketball there with her father and brothers.
The park district recently renovated the court as part of a previously scheduled maintenance project. An emblem on the new court bears Parker's name and a plaque in her honor has been installed nearby.
"Hopefully it draws future Candace Parkers to that court and they can step on there and say 'if Candace Parker can do it, I can do it,'" McGury said. "I think it's a great thing for our community."
In addition to the court dedication, Mayor George Pradel will present Parker with a key to the city. Guests also will be able to collect giveaways from Adidas, Gatorade and McDonald's and enter a raffle to win a pair of Parker's shoes. Parker will sign autographs for as long as her schedule allows.
Her mom, Sara Parker, said every time she attended one of her daughter's games in Tennessee she would see fans who had traveled from Naperville and she is grateful for the love they have shown her family.
"When you have a city that embraces you like that and gives you the support, it gives you such a great feeling," she said.
If you go
What: Dedication of Spring-Field Park basketball court to Candace Parker
When: 11 a.m. Thursday
Where: Spring-Field Park, 2031 Springside Circle, Naperville
Parking: Limited; shuttle bus will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Kingsley Elementary School, 2403 Kingsley Drive
Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org
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