Reigning WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year Earns Her Third Career Player of the Week Honor and Second this Season

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker was named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for regular season games played Monday, September 7 through Sunday, September 13.

Parker wins her third career Player of the Week award and second of 2009 after averaging 16.3 points, a league-leading 13.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, also a league best, and 2.3 assists. She led the team to a 3-0 week, including wins over San Antonio and Phoenix.

Parker collected 13 or more rebounds in each of her three games, including 14 rebounds in her final two games to tie her season high. Against the Mercury, she set her season high for points with 24. She posted three double-doubles this week to close out the season with six consecutive double-doubles. Parker also handed out five assists against Minnesota and blocked four shots against San Antonio.

Parker averaged 13.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks in 2009. She led the WNBA in double-doubles with 15 despite missing eight games at the beginning of the season due to the birth of her first child. Parker, the top pick of the 2008 WNBA Draft, won the 2008 WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year awards and a gold medal with the 2008 U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team.

For individual or group tickets to see Candace Parker lead the Sparks in the 2009 WNBA Playoffs, visit www.lasparks.com or call 1-877-44-SPARKS.