Fans gather early to cheer Parker, snare autographs

Roughly 400 basketball fans of all ages came to Naperville's Spring-Field Park Thursday to cheer hometown girl Candace Parker and, in many cases, snare an autograph from the WNBA superstar.

First in line was 13-year-old Brittany Kemp, of Elburn, who arrived with mom Wendy and family friends at 9:30 a.m. - almost two hours before the guest of honor.

"I'm her world's biggest fan, right here," said Brittany, who recently returned from Pat Summitt's University of Tennessee Girl's Basketball Camp. "I think Candace is a great role model for girls that they can do anything the boys can."

She had a copy of the Sports Illustrated collector's edition celebrating the Lady Vols 2008 championship to get signed. Wendy already had a basketball signed by Summitt.

Meeting Parker was old hat, however, for 15-year-old Emma Donahue of Naperville. Emma came to the event sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with a photo of she and Parker in 2003 when Parker was a Redhawk and Emma a third-grade Girl Scout.

"Candace and I go way back," her shirt read above the photo.

"I'm going to have her sign an actual print of this photo so that'll be cool," she said. "I've always admired her."

The fan base wasn't limited to teen girls, however. Several young men were in attendance as well. Some admitted they thought Parker was "hot" while others seemed to appreciate her dedication to basketball.

"As a fan and player, I appreciate how she hustles on every play and never takes plays off or gives less than 100 percent," said 16-year-old Carlton Mister of Aurora. "A lot of players can learn a thing or two from her game, guys and girls."

Seventy-three-year-old Elinore Mason joked of playing the game with peach baskets with her brothers while growing up. Still a fan of the game, and attending Thursday's ceremony with friends, the Naperville resident said Parker exemplifies the spirit the game needs today.

"The young lady is full of energy and has been a team player as long as I've followed her," Mason said. "She really deserves this. This is nice."

Following Thursday's ribbon-cutting and dedication of a basketball court in her name, Parker met with hundreds of fans and signed their basketballs, photos and posters provided by Addidas.