Top Draft Pro$pect: Candace Parker?

As half the league starts preparing for the NBA draft in June, it's worth noting that despite all the talent we'll see wear bad suits and ballcaps, none have near the commercial potential as last year's crop led by Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. A few weeks ago, on occasion of the WNBA draft, Seattle Times scribe Percy Allen offered the hypothesis new L.A. Sparks star Candace Parker might be more profitable away from the hardwood than any NBA prospects coming out this season.

"She'll add value to the endemic sponsors who want to leverage her professional career for the sale of sport-inspired shoes and apparel," said Paul Swangard, managing director of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. "She's a potential once-in-a-generation type of player.

"This is a gal who beat men in a slam-dunk contest when she was in high school," he continued. "She's got an urban-legend appeal ... and she may have the ability to transcend her sport. She has the opportunity to be relevant to people whether they are WNBA fans or not."

Allen also notes NBA uber-agent Aaron Goodwin (the champion of last year's Durant battle royale) might skip courting any NBA prospects this year in order to focus on Parker, whom is his client.

Parker may well be the LeBron of the WNBA. But her bigger starring role could come in doing for women's sports (not just basketball) what Tiger Woods has done for golf: legitimizing it for the everyman. It's a near-impossible project, but Parker's the best candidate we'll ever have.

Previously on Fanhouse:
Candace Parker to Bolt Early for the WNBA