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Candace Parker Wins First Defensive Player of the Year Award

Candace Parker added another accolade to her Hall-of-Fame career on Thursday as the Sparks forward was named the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year.

Parker has already won a WNBA championship, WNBA Finals MVP, two regular-season MVPs and a Rookie of the Year award. She won Defensive Player of the Year on Friday after her 13th WNBA season.

Parker credited former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt for her defensive excellence in 2020. Los Angeles' forward paired with Summitt to win two NCAA titles in 2007 and 2008, and the ex-coach served as a mentor to Parker before she passed away in June 2016.