NEW YORK, July 5, 2017 – Guard Jasmine Thomas of the Connecticut Sun and forward-center Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks today were named the WNBA’s Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played June 26 through July 2.
Thomas earned Player of the Week honors for the second time in her seven WNBA seasons. She joined teammates Jonquel Jones and Alyssa Thomas to make Connecticut the first team in WNBA history to have three different players win the Player of the Week award in three consecutive weeks.
In leading the Sun to a 2-1 week, Thomas paced Eastern Conference players in scoring (23.3 ppg) and three-pointers made (12), tied for sixth in field goal percentage (.520, 26-of-50) and tied for seventh in assists (4.0 apg). Her week featured a career-high 29-point effort in the Sun’s 96-89 win over the visiting Seattle Storm on June 29. The 5-9 Thomas shot 12-of-16 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and added six assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Thomas opened her week with 19 points, three assists and three rebounds in Connecticut’s 87-79 loss to the Sparks on June 27. In her final game of the week, the former Duke University standout posted 22 points and three assists in a 91-85 road win over the Indiana Fever on July 1.
Parker earned Player of the Week honors for the 20th time in her 10-year career. Behind the 2016 Finals MVP, the Sparks went 3-0 to improve to 12-3 overall. Among West players, the 6-4 Parker ranked No. 1 in rebounding (10.3 rpg) and blocks (2.33 bpg) and was tied for fifth in scoring (17.3 ppg) and assists (4.0 apg).
The two-time regular-season MVP tipped off her week with 14 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists in an 87-79 win at Connecticut. Parker then recorded back-to-back doubles, starting with 21 points and 13 rebounds to go with five assists and two steals in an 85-76 victory at the Atlanta Dream on June 30. Two days later, the former University of Tennessee star notched 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a 76-69 home win over the Washington Mystics.
Parker and the Sparks will put their eight-game winning streak on the line when they visit the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx (12-1) on Thursday, July 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This marks the first matchup of the season between defending champion Los Angeles and its 2016 Finals opponent.
To join Parker and the rest of the championship Los Angeles Sparks at their next game, visit www.http://sparks.wnba.com/.