LOS ANGELES — One day after putting up a double double to help the Sky pull off the largest comeback in WNBA history in a 104-95 victory against the host Las Vegas Aces, Candace Parker earned her seventh WNBA All-Star nod.
The two-time WNBA champion was voted a starter, the league announced Wednesday, and will play on her home court when the game comes to Wintrust Arena on July 10. She was third in All-Star voting when polls closed Wednesday with 17,475 votes, just over 2,000 shy of earning the No. 2 captain spot.
“We’re excited for Candace, this is something that’s totally merited, and she’s had an incredible year thus far,” general manager/coach James Wade said. “You know we always love when we have players represent us in Chicago Sky uniforms and we’re very proud of everything she’s accomplished in a Sky uniform. This just epitomizes what she’s done so far and what she’s meant to us this year.”
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart received the highest number of votes and will serve as captains. Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, who announced they will retire at the end of the season, will serve as co-captains. Bird, making her 13th All-Star appearance, will be paired with Wilson, and Fowles, making her eighth appearance, will be paired with Stewart.
Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February, was named an honorary starter by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
The 12 All-Star reserves will be voted on by the 12 WNBA coaches and announced June 28. All four co-captains will select their teams on July 2, first from the pool of eight starters, then from the reserves.