Candace Parker had an amazing game on Tuesday night to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to an 89-84 win over the Dallas Wings. It was an emotional game for Parker. Pat Summitt passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 64 after battling Alzheimer’s.
In her postgame interview, Parker said she felt inspired by Summitt in her 31-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist performance.
Candace Parker's postgame interview with Holly Rowe about Pat Summitt pic.twitter.com/1bWZWjD5ag
— The Cauldron (ICYMI) (@CauldronICYMI) June 29, 2016
When ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked about how hard it was to play, Parker said:
“It was difficult, but I felt a lot of strength from her and the Lady Vol family. Obviously it was a special night today, and we all played with heavy hearts.”
Rowe asked Parker what it was like to have her teammates hold her up and support her. She replied:
“That’s what we do. That’s what our team is. We’re a family. They know what coach has meant to the game of basketball, and we’ve all acknowledged that. Definitely from here on out, I’m playing for her.”
Lastly, Rowe mentioned how Parker had “rebound” written on her shoe and asked what mindset she was in while playing. Parker said, smiling:
“Well, I see coach’s glare and I hear her voice screaming at me to rebound, especially on the offensive end. I see her little head going back-and-forth telling me to rebound, so it’s very ironic that I had my season-high in rebounding tonight.”
Then, Rowe and Parker shared a heartfelt hug.
Other than my Mom, Pat Summit is the most influential woman in my life. She showed us we could be tough, excellent, fun, kind & win.
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) June 28, 2016
Parker shared a handwritten recruiting letter that Summitt had written to her on Twitter before the game.
You held true to your promises…and some. Thank you Coach for always being the perfect role model I love you. #RIP pic.twitter.com/HvA1mODwfP
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) June 28, 2016
Many other Lady Vols shared stories about their late coach, as well.
A true legend, she inspired a contagious passion and commitment to living and being your best on and off the court. pic.twitter.com/NuqXsyL7qz
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) June 29, 2016
Pat Summitt waves the net after a 98-62 win over Ole Miss during the Dayton Regional final on March 27, 2007. Summitt died Tuesday.
Pat Head, UT-Martin basketball player 1970-74.
Pat Head displays trophies of her world travels in international competition, which includes the 1973 World University Games in Moscow.
Pat Head, UT-Martin basketball player 1970-74.
Pat Head, UT-Martin basketball player 1970-74. 1975 U.S. World Championship team member.
Pat Head, 1976 U.S. Olympic basketball team co-captain and Silver medalist.
Tennessee coach Pat Head, right, talks to UCLA coach Billie Moore during the Pan American games trials on April 1, 1979, at Stokely Athletic Center. At left is Texas coach Jody Conradt.
Pat Head Summitt gets carried by her players after winning the gold in women's basketball at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984.
Coach Pat Summitt watches the Lady Vols defeat Virginia 66-58 during the NCAA Mideast Region semifinal at Stokely Athletic Center on March 19, 1987. Lady Vol No. 44 is Cheryl Littlejohn.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt celebrates after the Lady Vols won the Women's NCAA National Championship 67-44 against Louisiana Tech on March 29, 1987, in Austin, Texas.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt leads the cheers after winning the Women's NCAA National Championship 67-44 against Louisiana Tech on March 29, 1987, in Austin, Texas. Celebrating are players, from left, Melissa McCary, Kathy Spinks, Bridgette Gordon, and Dawn Marsh.
Pat Head Summitt, center, answers a few questions after been honored by Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter in his office for winning the 1987 national championship.
Coach Pat Summitt speaks as President Ronald Reagan hosts the NCAA champion Lady Vols at the White House on April 2, 1987. Looking on are, from left, UT President Ed Boling, womens athletic director Joan Cronan, Lady Vol Sheila Frost and Lady Vol Melissa McCray.
The University of Tennessee women's basketball coaching staff in 1989. Seated from left, Mickie DeMoss, head coach Pat Summitt, and Holly Warlick. Standing from left, Shelley Sexton-Liakonis, Lisa Webb, and Dawn Marsh.
Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt keeps an eye on her team in their 94-80 victory over Long Beach State in the 1989 NCAA East Regional finals in Bowling Green, Ky., for the Lady Vols' fourth consecutive Final Four appearance.
President George Bush hosts coach Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols during a celebration of Tennessee's second NCAA women's basketball national championship on April 20, 1989, at the White House.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt greets fans during a national championship celebration on April 1, 1991, at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols won their third national title in five years with a 70-67 victory over Virginia.
Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt, left, gets a new license plate from Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter as he honored the team in his office for winning the 1989 national championship.
Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt celebrates winning the Mideast Regional title on April 23, 1991, at Thompson- Boling Arena. Tennessee defeated Auburn 69-65 to advance to the Final Four in New Orleans.
Coach Pat Summitt carries her son, Tyler, as the Lady Vols return from winning the NCAA national championship April 1, 1991, at McGhee Tyson Airport. The Lady Vols claimed their third national championship with a 70-67 overtime victory over Virginia in New Orleans.
President George Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle greet the Tennessee women's basketball team on April 22, 1991, after it won the NCAA championship at the White House. Summitt is holding her son, Tyler.
Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt and her son, Tyler, celebrate the Lady Volunteers' 80-59 win over Texas Tech to win the NCAA Mideast Regional in Knoxville on March 25, 1995, and advance to the Final Four in Minneapolis.
Tennessee guard Michelle Marciniak and her team listen as coach Pat Summitt gives them last-minute instructions at a light practice on March 27, 1996 in Knoxville before they leave for Charlotte, N.C., to compete in the Final Four.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt directs the team during a Final Four game on March 29, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C.
The Lady Vols are always No. 1 in Henrietta, Tenn., the hometown of Pat Summitt. The photo was taken on May 2, 1996.
Coach Pat Summitt and her son, Tyler, take some Lady Vol team members for a boat ride on May 26, 1996 on Fort Loudoun Lake near Knoxville.
Former Olympian Pat Summitt lights the flame of the Olympic cauldron on June 26, 1996 at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville.
Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt pats her son Tyler, 6, on the head as he wanders around the court at the start of her team's workout at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Iowa City, Iowa, on March 21, 1997.
Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt reacts on March 30, 1997 at the Women's Final Four in Cincinnati.
Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Head Summitt accepts the congratulations of the Tennessee Legislature for the Lady Vols 1997 national championship.
Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated on March 2, 1998.
University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt shows off her new book "Reach for the Summitt" on March 4, 1998.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and All-American player Chamique Holdsclaw are pictured during practice on Nov. 1, 1998, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt watches a video honoring her 25 years as Lady Vols' head coach on Jan. 17, 1999, at Thompson-Boling Arena. The players are, from left, Kristen Clement, Semeka Randall, Michelle Snow, and Niya Butts.
Pat Summitt talks to three-time All-American Chamique Holdsclaw during the first half against Virginia Tech in the East Regional semifinals on March 20, 1999, in Greensboro, N.C.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt listens to a question during a news conference on March 21, 1999 in Greensboro, N.C. The Lady Vols prepare to meet Duke in the NCAA East Regional championship game.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt consoles Chamique Holdsclaw after she fouled out of the NCAA East Regional championship game with Duke on March 22, 1999.
Tyler Summitt and UT Vols Coach Pat Summitt celebrate winning the SEC tournament over Mississippi State in 2000 in Chattanooga.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt talks with player Semeka Randall while watching the NCAA selection show with the Lady Vols at Summitt's home in Knoxville in 2000.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt yells instructions during the Final Four semifinal game against Rutgers March 31, 2000, in Philadelphia. The Lady Vols advanced to the final with a 64-54 victory.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt with Tamika Catchings, who was named AP women's college basketball player of the year in 2000.
In this Oct. 12, 2000, photo, Tyler Summitt, center, holds onto his mother, Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, as she talks with former NBA coach Jack Ramsay at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, right, watches the jumbotron as she stands with her son, Tyler, center, and husband, RB Summitt ,after her team defeated DePaul 76-57 to get her 800th career win Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003, in Knoxville, Tenn. At back is Lady Vol Kara Lawson.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt stands with her son, Tyler, during a Final Four basketball practice in New Orleans in 2004.
Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt during the NCAA championship game against Connecticut at the New Orleans Arena in 2004.
Pat Summitt celebrates with her son Tyler, 14, after winning the 2005 SEC Women's Championship game at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C.
UT president John Peterson presents Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt with the design of the Thompson-Boling Arena Floor, which will be called the "The Summitt." The presentation followed UT's 75-54 win over Purdue in the NCAA Tournament on March 22, 2005.
UT coach Pat Summitt hugs her mother, Hazel Head, after being presented with naming of the Thompson-Boling Arena floor in her honor on March 22, 2005.
UT fan Bobbie Caldwell celebrates UT coach Pat Summitt breaking the NCAA record with 880 all-time victories on March 22, 2005.
In this 2005 photo, UT head coach Pat Summitt and her son, Tyler, celebrate after the Lady Vols beat Rutgers to advance to the Final Four.
Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt tastes ice cream she made in 2005.
Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt leaves the court after her 900th win in January 2006 at Vanderbilt.
Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt sings "Rocky Top" during a Tennessee men's basketball game against Florida on Feb. 27, 2007, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Pat Summitt wears a cheerleading uniform and cheers while being held up by members of her coaching staff - Dean Lockwood, left, and Holly Warlick - during a timeout of a men's game between Tennessee and Florida on Feb. 27, 2007.
Pat Summitt wears a cheerleading uniform while singing "Rocky Top" during a timeout of a men's game between Tennessee and Florida on Feb. 27, 2007.
Pat Summitt and men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl watch Division II high school tournament action at Lipscomb's Allen Arena on Feb. 28, 2007.
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