Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images By Larry Stansbury ·Updated March 9, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

March Madness isn’t just a tournament, it’s a cultural moment. And few people understand the electricity of it quite like Candace Parker. For Parker, the NCAA tournament has always represented more than basketball. “March Madness is like the time of year that you wait for your entire season, your entire life,” Parker tells ESSENCE. “It’s the biggest stage.” 

That composure is exactly what makes her latest partnership with Degree feel aligned. Ahead of this year’s tournament, Parker teamed up with the brand to spotlight performance-level protection in high-pressure moments. “As a player, you do all your work and preparation early to be able to remain calm in those big moments,” says Parker. “I remember just being calm and knowing that this moment was meant for us.” For the former NCAA champion, aligning with a product centered on staying fresh and confident under intensity felt authentic.

As a three-time WNBA champion, two-time league MVP, and now broadcaster, she’s experienced March from nearly every angle. “You’re going to have the game winners. You’re going to have defeats,” says Parker. “When you’re in it as a player, you’ve got to stay calm, cool, and collected.”

That belief, which is grounded in repetition, discipline, and trust, still shapes how she moves today. “I love routine,” says Parker. “I always have a plan when I wake up. I always try to figure out ways to continue to improve and get better.” Beyond structure, Parker emphasizes accountability, especially when no one else is watching. “There are so many times when you have a coach and you have that accountability. But when it’s just you and you in the mirror, you can talk yourself out of doing the things you know you need to do.” 

Confidence has always been a visible part of Parker’s presence, but today she defines strength with more nuance. “Showing up strong is showing up authentic in who you are,” says Parker. “It’s being you at all times. And it’s also understanding that you have the right to change your mind and shift and pivot.” 

That evolution feels especially resonant as women’s sports gain visibility and young girls watch athletes command national stages. “I just want young girls to understand that they, too, can be an athlete and be in these situations,” says Parker. “The world sometimes tries to dim your light. Don’t shrink yourself because someone wants to limit what you can and cannot do.” She credits her parents for instilling that foundation early—shoulders back, head high, walk into every room like you belong. 

If there’s one thing Parker knows about March Madness, it’s that no one’s bracket survives untouched. “Everybody tries to go in with a plan,” she laughs. “And everybody’s brackets end up busted.” That unpredictability is magic. For Parker, legacy isn’t defined solely by championships, but by the journey, the losses, and the resilience built along the way. 

“Showing up strong is understanding that there are going to be two steps forward, sometimes one step back,” says Parker. “It takes a lot of losses and missteps to get to that point.” As this year’s tournament unfolds, she’ll be watching with the clarity of someone who has lived it.

The post Candace Parker On March Madness & Degree Partnership appeared first on Essence.

Author: Akili King

Read the original article on Essence.