Candace Parker, Shelden Williams Welcome a Daughter
 David Sherman/NBAE/Getty |
It’s a girl for LA Sparks’ forward Candace Parker and husband Shelden Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves!
The WNBA star, 22, gave birth to a daughter today, Wednesday May 13th, at 11:29 a.m in Los Angeles. Baby girl weighed in at 7 lbs., 6 oz and 20″ long and is the first child for the couple, who eloped in November. “Shelden and I are thrilled,” says Candace. “We are very excited to be expanding our family. This is such a life changing moment for us, we feel blessed to have a healthy and beautiful baby girl.”
The couple do not wish to release their daughter’s name at this time, hoping to share with both sides of the family and close friends first.
The 6’4″ forward had an impressive 2008 — she won two Espy awards, and was named Rookie of the Year as well as Most Valuable Player, marking the first time in the WNBA’s 12 seasons that a rookie won MVP.
The “female Michael Jordan” as she’s referred by fans worldwide captured her first Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Candace says she has no plans of slowing down and will continue to work out in preparation for the 2009 season, beginning June 6th. She may even take her bundle of joy along to the court. “The baby will be along for the ride, with me on trips, at the court,” Candace told ESPN Magazine. “You don’t hear about male players doing that, do you? Women, we just have to balance more things. It’s harder for us. That’s just the way it is.”
The couple announced the pregnancy in January. Candace says she plans to rejoin the Los Angeles Sparks once she receives clearance from her physician.
Source: Associated Press
– Debra Lewis-Boothman
- Posted on May 13, 09 at 6:00PM
- Permalink
- 12 Comments
May 13th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Congratulations to them! They’ve had a really great year full of amazing events in their personal and professional lives, and I wish them nothing but the best!
May 14th, 2009 at 1:13 am
aww congrats to candace & shelden…i’m a huge duke fan so i’ve followed shelden 4 so long…they r so cute 2gether
May 14th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Congrats to them! And wow, they sure announced it awfully quick! Hope to hear the name soon, but I understand wanting to share it with family and friends first. I think that was a good move on their part. Anyway, I’m happy for them and I’m sure this little girl will bring much joy to their lives.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:53 am
that’s going to end up being a very tall daughter!
(tall is good.)
Congratulations to them
May 14th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Aww congrats!! I love Sheldon Williams and I am a huge Duke fun. I’m sure they will be wonderful parents. I can’t wait too see their baby girl…..and to find out what they name her!
May 14th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Laila Nicole Williams.
You heard the name from me first!
May 14th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Aww, congratulations to them! I’d love for them to release the name and maybe a photo, too, later on.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Since this is a celebrity couple, I naturally read the baby’s name as “Wednesday May” ..when I got to the “13th” I realized that no, that is NOT her name! LOL
Anyway, congratulations to Candace and Sheldon!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Congrats for Sheldon and Candace on the birth of their baby girl. I met them both at UT one weekend they were practicing together for her upcoming game. They were really sweet and cute together. I hope they have a wonderful life together and the best of luck to both of them
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
yeah! congrats to them!
can’t eait to hear the name! i am huge parker fan, #1 to be exact.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
congratulations to the both of you. candace i looove watching u play, u r aaaamazing–best of luck in mommyhood and on the court–kudos to you shelden,also
June 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
wikipedia lists her name as laila nicole williams