Introducing the Class of 2026 Beyond Basketball
The Berenson Trophy is given to each inductee, named after founder of women’s basketball Senda Berenson. The Beyond the Berenson series is designed to tell the stories of the members of the Class of 2026 outside of their extraordinary basketball accomplishments. The Class of 2026 features some of the greatest players, coaches, and contributors that women’s basketball has ever seen. Lady Vol Candace Parker is one of them.
Candace Parker: Confidence as Strength
Candace Parker has never lacked confidence. Her 6 foot 4 build produces an undeniable presence on the court. Yet it’s not her size or indisputable accomplishments that have given her confidence. It’s her willingness to fail.
“You aren’t going to always be successful, you’re going to misstep, you’re going to miss shots, you’re going to fail.” Parker says. But, it’s the willingness to come back after those setbacks that truly defines a champion and has given her the confidence to chase after her dreams without hesitation.
Parker’s family put confidence on display. She attributes her upbringing for what gave her the courage to approach confidence from such a mature perspective, even at a young age. Stepping onto the court became her super power.
Yet, her parents weren’t the only individuals instrumental to her success and personal development.
“Coach Summitt is a huge part of the way I am today,” Parker affirms. “I think more so the person and the character and the resilience that I’ve developed over time.” Intangibles Coach Summitt modeled, like thriving as a working mom, making others feel important, remembering names, and demonstrating respect and loyalty to those around her, go beyond the court, but extend to the mom and leader Parker aspires to be.
“There’s a lot of people that can tell you how to reach success, but she actively showed you how to reach success.”
That success has been evident Tennessee women’s basketball’s dominant run, the program that Parker won two national titles and most outstanding player awards during her time.
“I’m just fortunate to be a part of the Lady Vol family and fortunate to be a part of the 11 Hall of Fame inductees that have been in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. And a lot of it has to do with Coach Summitt.”
If Coach Summitt had a vision for women’s basketball and all that it could be, Candace Parker was certainly part of the implementation. Parker’s WNBA career was one for the books, but the unique skillset she brought might have made the biggest impact. Fellow Hall of Famer and Parker’s close personal friend Chamique Holdsclaw reflected on Parker’s role in changing the game in the WNBA.
“She hit me with footwork we really hadn’t seen in the women’s game yet,” Holdsclaw recalls. “That was the moment I had realized that the game had changed. That was Candace. She brought creativity, skill, and versatility that pushed the entire sport forward.”
Parker’s journey has been more than performing on the court and pushing the sport forward but applying basketball to her journey.
“Basketball is a microcosm of life,” Parker explains. “You learn to win, you learn to lose. You learn to work with people that have differences and different mindsets. You learn to get back up after failure or missteps.”
The challenges Parker experienced on the court — tearing her ACL, bouncing back after disappointing seasons, or juggling raising her daughter Lailaa while playing overseas — helped shape her into the woman she’s become. As Parker so eloquently mentioned previously, it’s the setbacks that help form her confidence.
She has now taken her wisdom and made it the backbone the book she released, The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passions . “I was always a writer as a kid. I always dream of being an author,” Parker remembers. “And so the ‘Can Do’ mindset just kind of came about through stories of my career.”
Parker’s passion to write influenced the way in which she told her story. She wanted to make it bigger than simply telling stories. Rather, she wanted to relate to people and provide takeaways for others going through similar journeys. Even if they may not be performing as professional athletes, Parker wanted to provide a narrative that transcends stages of life.
Both her book and career are a testament to the resilience, confidence, and personal character required to flourish in both basketball and life. Parker carries that same mindset forward, empowering her life now as a mom, podcast host, and business woman.
Watch Candace’s full interview on our Youtube channel.
Written by Jadyn Zdanavage
