Bidding Frenzy Over Basketball Baby

Lailaa Nicole Williams may be just six weeks old, but there’s already an informal college recruiting frenzy afoot! And with parents WNBA star Candace Parker and NBA star Shelden Williams, it’s little wonder why!

“When I first told [University of Tennessee] Coach [Pat] Summitt that I was pregnant, she was like, ‘Where can we send the papers?’” Candace told TIME magazine. “I had to remind her that my husband went to Duke, so he’s pushing for her to go there.”

All joking aside, the couple say life with a little one is “great.”

“My baby is the joy in my life. Obviously, I’m suffering from lack of sleep, but it truly is a blessing to be a mother,” Candace gushed.

Her maternity leave is nearly up, with Candace planning to return to the Los Angeles Sparks by the end of July. She’ll be back in training over the next two weeks, which is sure to be a real shock to the system.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy, by any means, but I think it’s possible to come back better than I was,” she said. “I understand my body a lot more. I focus a lot more on stretching and taking care of myself.”

And when she’s struggling for inspiration, she needs only look to her teammates.

“My teammates have done it. Tina Thompson came back the same season she delivered her son. Lisa Leslie waited a year. They’re still at the top of their game.”

And I’m sure Candace will get back there too!

Image source: ZUMA Press