Candace Parker played with a very heavy heart on Tuesday night when her L.A. Sparks took on the Dallas Wings at the Staples Center. Her college coach Pat Summitt died early Tuesday, and it was obviously something that was on her mind all day long. She posted this message and photo on Twitter prior to the Sparks’ game to honor Summitt:
Parker also wrote the word "Rebound" on her sneakers before the game—which is something Summitt apparently yelled in Parker's direction a lot when she played for Tennessee from 2004 through 2008—and then went out and put on one of her best performances of the 2016 WNBA season. Parker scored 31 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds while helping the Sparks overcome a 22-point deficit in the second half to beat the Wings 89-84. And after the game ended, Parker’s emotions came pouring out as she conducted a tearful post-game interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
"It was difficult," Parker said after Rowe asked her how tough it was to play less than 24 hours after Summitt’s death. "But I felt a lot of strength from her and from the Lady Vols family. Obviously, it was a special night today and we all played with heavy hearts."
"Definitely from here on out, I’m playing for her," Parker added later in the interview.
Rowe ended the interview by asking Parker about her phenomenal rebounding night. "I see coach’s glare and I hear her voice screaming at me to rebound," Parker said. "Especially on the offensive end. I see her little head going back and forth telling me to rebound. It’s very ironic that I had my season high in rebounding tonight."
Parker and Rowe then embraced as Parker thanked her for the support. You can check out the emotional moment in the clip above.
