WNBA star Candace Parker, who helped lead her hometown Chicago Sky to the WNBA title in 2021, became the first woman to work as an in-game commentator for an NBA All-Star Game. 

To be the first woman to achieve this historic honor is one thing, but to also be a Black woman takes it to a whole new level. Black people are really out here making history this Black History month and I’m proud to see it. 

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Parker shared her thoughts on this pioneering role. “Well, I know how much watching SportsCenter and seeing Robin Roberts talk about sports meant to me. And I would hope that there’s somebody in this world that is going to watch the All-Star Game and either hope to play in it or hope to call it. And so if we can reach more people, in terms of seeing themselves in the broadcast crew or seeing themselves on the court, whatever it is, I think we’re doing our job.

“It’s a huge honor to be able to do that and hopefully to inspire others to take that step, and understand that it’s beneficial to have a diversity of thought and diversity of people that are covering games.”

Parker plays for the Las Vegas Aces and is widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time.