You probably know Candace Parker as a basketball god. She’s a three-time WNBA champion, a two-time MVP, and basically the person who redefined how we look at versatile play on the court. But for a long time, the person standing right next to her remained a mystery to the public.
Honestly, the reveal was a bit of a shocker for fans who hadn't been paying close attention. In late 2021, Parker took to Instagram to drop a massive life update: she had been married for two years already. So, who is Candace Parker married to? The answer is Anna Petrakova, a former professional basketball player from Russia.
The two have been building a life together in a way that’s both incredibly private and now, refreshingly open. They didn't just get married; they’ve built a whole "roster" of a family that includes kids from different chapters of Parker’s life.
Meet Anna Petrakova: More Than Just a Spouse
Anna Petrakova isn't just someone who happened to marry a superstar. She’s an elite athlete in her own right. Born in Russia, she moved to the U.S. at 17 to play at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She was a beast on the court there, eventually getting inducted into their Athletics Hall of Fame.
After college, she went back to Europe and played for UMMC Ekaterinburg. That’s actually where the magic started. She was also a key part of the Russian national team during the 2012 London Olympics.
Basically, they speak the same language. Not just English or Russian, but the language of high-stakes, professional competition.
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How the Romance Actually Started
It wasn't exactly love at first sight. Or maybe it was, and they just weren't ready to admit it. They met while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia around 2012. At the time, they were just teammates. Parker was actually married to someone else back then—former NBA player Shelden Williams.
The transition from teammates to life partners took years. Petrakova has mentioned in interviews that they basically "denied" the connection for about three years. It was a slow burn.
They grew close through late-night chats and the shared grind of playing overseas. Parker has described the feeling of meeting Anna as "crazy" because she had only ever dated men before. It shifted her entire perspective on what her future could look like.
The Secret Wedding in 2019
They finally tied the knot in December 2019. It was a small, private affair with about 15 people on a boat in Mexico. Parker’s daughter, Lailaa, was actually the one who helped with the proposal. She held a cake that asked, "Will you marry us?"
Why the secret? Part of it was Petrakova’s Russian citizenship. Given the political climate and anti-LGBTQ laws in Russia, they were worried about the blowback she might face. They kept it under wraps for two full years until they felt the time was right to share their joy with the world.
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The Previous Chapter: Shelden Williams
Before Anna, there was Shelden Williams. They married in 2008, right when Parker was becoming the face of the WNBA. They were the ultimate basketball power couple. He was a standout at Duke and the 5th overall pick in the NBA draft.
They have a daughter together, Lailaa Nicole Williams, born in 2009. But things hit a wall in 2016. Williams filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences."
The divorce made headlines for a somewhat unusual reason: Parker ended up paying Williams a lump sum of $400,000 in alimony. It sparked a lot of conversation about gender roles and earnings in professional sports, considering she was making a killing through endorsements and her overseas salary even though NBA contracts are typically much larger.
Building the "Parker-Petrakova" Roster
Today, their house is a lot more crowded. And they seem to love it.
They have three children now. Lailaa is the eldest, and by all accounts, she and Petrakova have a great bond. In early 2022, the couple welcomed their first son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker. Then, in May 2024, they added another boy to the mix, Hartt.
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Parker has joked on social media about her sons eventually joining the NBA, already scouting their "strengths and weaknesses" while they're still in diapers.
Life After Retirement
Since retiring from the WNBA in early 2024, Parker hasn't slowed down. She’s the President of Adidas Women’s Basketball and a top-tier analyst for TNT. Having Anna by her side through this transition seems to have been her "calm" and "voice of reason."
If you’re following this story to see what’s next for the family, keep an eye on Parker's broadcast career. She’s recently signed a deal with Amazon to broadcast games there, too.
What you can do next:
If you want to see the family dynamic in action, check out Candace Parker's Instagram. She often posts "life lately" snippets that show Petrakova and the kids during off-seasons and holidays. You can also watch her "Post Moves" segments or her appearances on Dwyane Wade's podcast to hear her speak more about how her family life influences her business decisions and leadership roles.