ESPN REPORT: Candace Parker Crowned The Greatest of All Time in College Women’s Basketball, Surpassing Taurasi, Miller, and Woodard…
By ESPN Senior Staff Writer
Knoxville, TN— In a historic announcement that has ignited passionate conversations across the world of sports, ESPN has officially named legendary Tennessee Lady Vols forward Candace Parker as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college women’s basketball history. This bold declaration puts Parker ahead of some of the sport’s most iconic names, including Diana Taurasi of UConn, Cheryl Miller of USC, and Lynette Woodard of Kansas.
In a specially televised ESPN special titled “College G.O.A.T. Countdown: Women’s Basketball Edition,” Parker edged out her peers in a rigorous selection process conducted by a panel of former players, coaches, historians, analysts, and fans. After months of deliberation, analysis of statistics, championships, leadership qualities, and cultural impact, Parker emerged as the definitive figure who not only defined an era but revolutionized the game for generations to come.
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A Vol for Life: Candace Parker’s Storied College Career
Candace Parker’s college career began in 2004, but due to a knee injury, her debut was postponed to the 2005–2006 season. From the moment she stepped onto the court in a Tennessee jersey, Parker was a force of nature. Known for her smooth athleticism, dominant presence in the paint, and sky-high basketball IQ, Parker didn’t just play the game — she elevated it.
Over her college career (2005–2008), Parker led the Lady Volunteers under legendary coach Pat Summitt to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2007 and 2008, winning Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four both years. She was a two-time Wooden Award winner, a two-time Naismith Player of the Year, and SEC Player of the Year. Parker finished her college career with over 2,100 points and nearly 1,300 rebounds, while anchoring one of the most dominant defenses in women’s basketball history.
“She was the complete package,” said longtime ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo. “Candace had the skill of a guard, the power of a forward, and the IQ of a coach. She could dunk, shoot, pass, defend — and she did it all with grace, humility, and the signature grit of a Lady Vol.”
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The Rivals: Titans of the Women’s Game
To understand the weight of ESPN’s announcement, one must appreciate the magnitude of the legends Parker surpassed.
Diana Taurasi (UConn)
Often called “the White Mamba,” Diana Taurasi was the bedrock of UConn’s dynastic run in the early 2000s. Taurasi led the Huskies to three national titles and was known for her clutch performances, icy demeanor, and unrelenting will to win. Taurasi’s career at UConn — under Geno Auriemma — left an indelible mark on the program and set a new standard for guards.
Cheryl Miller (USC)
Cheryl Miller redefined dominance in the 1980s. A two-time NCAA champion and a Naismith Player of the Year, Miller averaged 23.6 points and 12 rebounds per game, commanding both ends of the floor with unmatched authority. Her performances led USC to national prominence and helped shape the growth of women’s basketball on a national level.
Lynette Woodard (Kansas)
Though she played before the NCAA recognized women’s championships, Woodard’s impact was beyond metrics. As a four-time All-American, Woodard was the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball history at the time. She brought innovation, elegance, and unstoppable scoring to the court — and later broke barriers by becoming the first woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.
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Why Candace?
Despite the legendary competition, ESPN’s panel reached a consensus that Candace Parker transcended not just the game on the court, but the culture off of it.
“She was the bridge between eras,” said ESPN’s Doris Burke during the announcement broadcast. “Parker brought post play into the modern game, all while honoring the legacy of her predecessors. She’s the GOAT because she combined dominance with versatility and inspired a whole generation of girls to dream bigger.”
Key criteria considered in Parker’s GOAT selection included:
Championship Impact: Two NCAA titles where she was the most critical player on the floor.
Statistical Excellence: Near triple-double averages and dominance across all metrics.
Versatility: Guard-level ball-handling, elite post footwork, lockdown defense.
Innovation: First woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game.
Leadership: The heart and soul of the Lady Vols during their national championship runs.
Cultural Influence: Embodied the rise of women’s basketball in mainstream sports, while maintaining academic and off-court excellence.
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Pat Summitt’s Shadow: A Legendary Mentor
Candace Parker’s greatness is also deeply tied to the legendary Pat Summitt, whose coaching style and mentorship laid the foundation for Parker’s meteoric rise. Their relationship was more than coach-player — it was a partnership in excellence.
“Pat believed in me before I believed in myself,” Parker once said. “She pushed me not just to be a better player, but a better woman.”
Summitt, who passed away in 2016, was famously tough but nurturing. Her fingerprints are visible not only on Parker’s game but on her mentality — one of relentless pursuit of greatness, responsibility, and legacy.
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The Torchbearer: From College Star to Global Icon
After college, Parker became the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks — and wasted no time making history, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season, a feat that remains unmatched.
Her WNBA career has included multiple championships, Olympic gold medals, and MVPs. She became a sports broadcaster, businesswoman, and role model for working mothers in sport, breaking countless barriers.
Even in 2025, with her playing career winding down, Parker remains an active leader in the WNBA and a prominent face for equity in sports. Her presence at the ESPN ceremony was emotional and electric.
“I share this with every woman who ever dreamed of making a layup, a free throw, or dunking like the boys,” Parker said in her acceptance speech. “This isn’t just for me. This is for Pat. For Tennessee. For the little girl who believed that she belonged.”
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Reactions Pour In: A Nation Celebrates
Diana Taurasi:
“She’s incredible. We went to war on the court, but there’s no one more deserving. Candace changed the game.”
Geno Auriemma:
“I still think Diana is the most clutch player I’ve ever coached. But Candace Parker? She’s poetry in motion. She was built to dominate.”
Tamika Catchings:
“She carried the torch we lit at Tennessee and turned it into a wildfire. She’s our legacy. She’s our GOAT.”
ESPN Viewers’ Poll:
When asked, “Do you agree Candace Parker is the GOAT?” — 71% of fans voted Yes.
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Looking Ahead: A Legacy Set in Stone
Candace Parker’s name will now sit atop the Mount Rushmore of college women’s basketball. But perhaps more importantly, she’ll be remembered as the one who made greatness look graceful, who made dominance inclusive, and who reminded the world that being a woman in sports is something powerful, beautiful, and unapologetic.
Parker closed her remarks with a message to the next generation:
“Be bold. Be different. Be unrelenting. You don’t have to fit a mold to break records. Just be you. That’s how legends are made.”
Candace Parker: College GOAT. Forever a Lady Vol. Always a champion.
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