Sparks happy to have Candace Parker back, star will play July 29

From the team:

Los Angeles Sparks forward/center Candace Parker will join the team after the WNBA All-Star weekend announced executive vice president and general manager Penny Toler today.

“We are happy to have a healthy and well-rested Candace Parker back with the Sparks,” said Toler. “Her wish was to rest and prepare her body to compete this season. Now that she’s ready, we look forward to her joining her teammates and helping us spark our second half push.”

Parker will play her first game on July 29 in Minnesota to tip-off a three-game road trip against the Lynx, Chicago Sky (7/31) and San Antonio Stars (8/2). Her first home game will be August 4 vs. Minnesota at Staples Center on ESPN2.

“We are excited that Candace will join our team after the All-Star game,” said Sparks head coach Brian Agler. “Candace has been an influential part of the Sparks ?for several years and a big part of its success. She as been an All-Star and an MVP, and we are sure she will influence great play by the Sparks in the future.”

Prior to the 2015 WNBA season, Parker announced she would miss an undetermined number of games in order to be 100% healthy before joining the team.

Parker has played her entire seven-year career in Los Angeles. The #1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, she became the first WNBA player to win both the MVP and Rookie of the Year award in the same season. A two-time WNBA MVP (2008,2013), three-time WNBA All-Star (2011,2013,2014), including 2013 All-Star MVP, and a three-time All-WNBA First Team selection (2012,2013,2014), Parker has two Olympic Gold medals as a member of Team USA (2008, 2012).