Two Months After Giving Birth, Candace Parker Returns to WNBA

News that reigning WNBA All-Star Candace Parker, without question the best women's basketball player in the world, got pregnant last winter surely sent a chill through the bones of WNBA boosters, Los Angeles Sparks management, and Parker's business partners. But Candace promised she'd be back quickly, better than ever.

Parker, who is married to fringe NBA forward Shelden Williams, gave birth to daughter Lailaa on May 13. Tonight, less than two months later, she will return to the Sparks line-up.

Parker has been back on the practice court since Wednesday, and she admitted to the Los Angeles Times she'll be quite rusty. But the amazingly fast comeback is really a credit to Parker's hard work, and could be a great motivator to the post-partum ladies of America. We always talk about female athletes as role models for young girls (just as top male athletes become role models for boys). But the athlete as role model for adults could be valuable, too.

In a less grandiose observation, it should be noted that L.A. is currently outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference. Last season, the Sparks were eliminated in the conference finals by San Antonio. Parker's running mate Lisa Leslie has been out of service for three weeks with a bum ankle. About a quarter of the season is finished. It'd be quite a story if Parker can lead L.A. to the playoffs or better.