Who is Candace Parker's wife, Anna Petrakova? Exploring their relationship and married life

Candace Parker is married to Anna Petrakova. They got married in 2019. Parker and Petrakova gave birth to a baby boy named Airr Larry Petrakov-Parker in 2022. Parker has played in the WNBA since 2008, winning two championships. She is also a two-time league MVP and a seven-time All-Star.

Who is Candace Parker's wife Anna Petrakova?

Candace Parker's wife, Anna Petrakova, is a Russian professional basketball player. She has been playing in the Russian league since the beginning of her career in 2011. Petrakova has been with UMMC Ekaterinburg since 2015 as well. They were teammates for that season.

Parker was previously married to former NBA player Shelden Williams. They tied the knot in 2008 and had a daughter named Lailaa together in 2009. The couple split in 2016, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Parker had held off her wedding announcement with Petrakova until two years after their marriage. She publicly announced they were married on Dec. 14, 2021, saying they were expecting a baby.

In an interview with Time, Candace Parker said her daughter was the reason she was able to reveal personal details of her marriage to Anna Petrakova. Here's what Parker said (via Essence):

“I always tell my daughter to be herself. I always tell my daughter to be proud of who she is. And I always tell my daughter to speak for herself and speak up for those that she loves.

"And I can’t say that to her if I’m not doing it myself,” she shared. “I don’t want her to ever think that I’m ashamed or not proud of our family. That was a step that we had to take. But we had to take it on our own terms.”

Parker and Petrakova took time to admit their feelings for each other as they never saw themselves marrying another woman. Their bond began to develop during their stint as teammates in Russia in 2015. According to Petrakova, it took the couple three years to admit their love for each other.

Candace Parker is currently a broadcaster with TNT for NBA games. She is currently weighing her options to return to the court for the 2023 WNBA season. Meanwhile, Anna Petrakova has continued playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Click here to read Parker and Petrakova's interview about their marriage.