Candice Wiggins
A dynamic basketball star who powered Stanford to a historic Final Four and became a sparkplug champion in the WNBA.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American basketball player·Birthday: February 14·Millennials
Biography
Candice Wiggins arrived at Stanford University as a heralded recruit and left as the most prolific scorer in Pac-10 history. Her collegiate career was defined by explosive athleticism and clutch performances, culminating in a senior season where she led an injury-depleted Stanford squad on an improbable run to the 2008 NCAA championship game. Drafted third overall by the Minnesota Lynx, she immediately made her mark, winning the WNBA's Sixth Woman of the Year award as a rookie. Wiggins provided essential firepower off the bench for a Lynx team that evolved into a dynasty, finally capturing a championship in 2011. Her professional journey included stops with several WNBA teams and overseas play, but was also marked by injuries that limited her later seasons. Outspoken after her retirement, she has been a vocal advocate for players and has candidly discussed the challenges within women's professional basketball.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Candice was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Candice Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Candice's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led Stanford University to the 2008 NCAA Championship game and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Kansas City Regional.
- Finished her Stanford career as the all-time leading scorer in both Stanford and Pac-10 women's basketball history (since surpassed).
- Won the WNBA's Sixth Woman of the Year Award in 2008 as a rookie with the Minnesota Lynx.
- Earned a WNBA championship ring as a key contributor to the 2011 Minnesota Lynx title team.
Did You Know?
Her father, Alan Wiggins, was a Major League Baseball player for the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles.
She won a record four California state high school basketball championships at La Jolla Country Day School.
Wiggins has worked as a basketball analyst for ESPN and the Pac-12 Network after her playing career.
She played professional basketball overseas for teams in Spain (Ros Casares) and Greece (Athinaikos).
“I wanted to be the best. I didn't just want to be good, I wanted to be the best to ever do it.”
