WNBA All-Star Candace Parker Stops by Nickelodeon

Can you imagine having the chance to meet a pro basketball star and then having your silly brothers ruin everything? It’s easy to understand why you’d be frustrated, especially when that player is WNBA All-Star Candace Parker. (I’d be mad, too.)

Well, that’s exactly what happens on the next episode of Nickelodeon’s Ricky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn. While taking some time off to recover from a championship season with her Russian team (UMMC Ekaterinburg), former league MVP Candace Parker and her 6-year-old daughter, Laila, guest starred on a recent episode of the Nick TV show. Parker spoke with SI Kids before she shot her scenes about stepping off of the court and onto the set with other stars and her decision to recover at the start of the 2015 season.  

The episode airs Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon. But before it does, check out a clip from the show and a superstar Q&A with Parker!




Can you tell me a little bit about your appearance? What’s going on in the scene? 

I’m really excited to be on the show. This is my first real acting experience. I’m going to be playing myself. I’m holding a contest, and Donis is on the line to actually win the contest and her brothers mess her up. 

Do you think you’ll feel comfortable on camera right away or will it take some time to adjust? 

I’ve had some other small roles, but this is the first bigger role. I think there will be a few nerves and things like that, but it’s always fun to see other people be really good at their crafts. So hopefully when the lights come on, I’ll be ready. 

Do you have a favorite actor or actress that you try to channel? 

Well, I don’t really think I will be channeling my Olivia Pope in this show, but Kerry Washington is definitely one of my favorite actors. 

What did you do to prepare for the appearance? 

It’s funny, my 6-year-old daughter is actually appearing in the episode with me and I’m really excited about it. She was kind of helping me with my lines today and it’s amazing how much she knows, like how much she remembered. She knew my lines better than I did! It was fun. 

Do you ever have to get on her for watching too much TV? 

She watches Nickelodeon all the time. She’s not like a couch potato where she just sits around, so as long as she has her stuff done I don’t have to get on her too much. She’s transitioning into the older kid shows now, so it’s fun. We saw a commercial for the show I’m appearing on and it’s fun to see her recognize that. 

Do you anticipate any embarrassing moments or do you think you might laugh during a scene? 

Laila is getting an ice cream cone poured on her head, so I’m definitely going to laugh watching that. 

Do you have a favorite part of being on set and doing things like this? 

It’s just so fun to see other people be good at their craft. I’m always in the gym playing basketball, and I think that’s normal. So it’s fun to be around stuff that other people think is normal. For me, I was so excited to be around it and just to see how other settings work and the behind the scenes – how much practice they have. Before, I thought it was simple. You get your lines, go film, and that’s it. But there’s a lot of preparation that goes into it. 



You play and work with adults in your everyday life. What was it like to be on set with a group of teenagers who were kind of running the show? 

The set was so laid back. They were showing me tricks [with the basketball], and it was a lot of fun to see how excited they were and be as excited as I was. 

You’re one of the best players in the world, but is it difficult to try to film scenes that incorporate a basketball? How is that different than playing? 

It’s fun using the ball. Definitely better. I would prefer to have a basketball. Basketball is my craft and it makes me feel comfortable. I’m less comfortable in the scenes where I don’t have a basketball. 

I know you won a championship with your Russian team recently. How has that transition back to the U.S. been? 

The transition back to the States has been easy. It’s home and it’s where my family and friends are. The weather is also a lot warmer here than it is in Russia, so it works out well. 

Can you talk about your decision to sit out for a little bit at the beginning of the season? 

I think it was just kind of something that I’ve been thinking about for a while. I didn’t sign a contract going into this year knowing that I might need to rest my body and take some time off. I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career, and it was time to just kind of listen to my body and take charge. I made the best decision for myself and for my family. 

You and Diana Taurasi – who is also sitting out – are some of the biggest names in the league. What do you think this means for the future of the WNBA going forward? 

I think it’s something that we’re going to have to look at. The league is going to go on, it’s still doing well, and there are amazing players. It’ll be fine. I love to play in the WNBA – it’s the most competitive league in the world. But everyone can strive to get better and improve the situation. 


Tune in Saturday night at 9 to see if Dawn gets the chance to meet her idol, and keep an eye out for Parker as the WNBA season winds down later this summer! 


Photos: Nickelodeon