The People Who Paved The Way
Ironically, it is in this moment of receiving my greatest living honor that I finally understand and realize my own insignificance.
Candice Wiggins, as the world knows her on the basketball court, would never have existed if not for these people who paved the way not only for my career to flourish as an athlete, but for my life to hold significance in a way that is highly impactful to those around me.
My personality has been shaped by the small sacrifices of these people, who saw something special inside me and made a conscious effort to clear a way for me to use my determination and be the highly competitive player that I ultimately became.
Family
Grandma Anna "Pearl" Woods
My grandmother has always been my spiritual counselor throughout my life and always brings light to any darkness that permeates my world. For example, from as early as my father's funeral, where we wore matching yellow dresses, she has given me nothing but sunshine in a sometimes dark and difficult experience. I remember when I was at Stanford, she gifted me a Bible and explained how I would always have a true friend in Christ, even if it felt like I was abandoned.
I remembered these very words when I was met with my greatest challenge: our Stanford team was about to play the University of Maryland in the 2008 Elite 8. In my despair, when I felt as though I had no one to talk to, I called my grandma that day and that phone call shaped the rest of my life as I know it.
Cassandra and Alan
Uncle Darrell
My mother's brother Darrell McKenzie is more than my beloved uncle, he is the closest I have ever had to a father, and my appreciation for him for protecting me and my family cannot be expressed. More than anything, he helped structure my confidence to understand that my dreams were not only believable, but also achievable. He taught me how to live and lead by example.
Kelly, Cheri, Juste and "Lil' D"
Uncle Darrell wearing his loyalty on his head by donning a righteous Stanford hat.
Uncle Don
My father's brother showered me with love and support long before the very first day I started playing basketball at 5 years old. With all the pressure that overwhelmed me from the time my career started flourishing at 6 and 7 years old, my Uncle Don allowed me to see how different my life could be from that of my father's, and from this revelation basketball became a perfect escape from the baseball world I was born into. I appreciate him most for this.
Mary Jo, Nathan and Meredith
Aunt Jackie
Uncle Ron, Cousin Timothy and Jeremy
Aunt Melinda, Dexter, Kennedy, Sasha, Kiah, and Skylar
Tywan
Uncle David, Uncle Cedric, Uncle Rodney, Marina, Lil' Rodney, Tyler
Shaneka, Pat and Richard Wesley
High School Coaches
Corrine Brunn
Ozhan Bahrambeygui
Gail Kuwatani (physical therapist/mentor)
High School Teammates
Volleyball
Kim McGiven
Rachell Johnson
Candace Saleaumua
Basketball
Ashley Rentz
Ashley was not only my best friend, she was my best rebounder. She also set the meanest screens for me. I adore this woman, all for who she is and more.
Kaili Eszlinger
June Brubaker
Bre Settles
Ashley Booker
LaToya Cunningham
Mercedes Fox-Griffin
Chrystina Sayers
Marissa Rivera
Gabi Douglass
Danielle Kerper
Teacher
Mrs. Brower
Glen Pritzker
Rod Jemison
Sarah Bakhiet
My US History teacher Sarah Bakhiet is by far the most righteous woman I know. I am grateful for everything she taught me.
Deborah Shaul
Mr. Sanders
Ms. Taylor
Mrs. Mount-Essex
Mr. Edmond
Coach Brannon
Stanford Support
Denise Corlett
Amy Tucker
Kate Paye
Karen Middleton
Bobbi Kelsey
Charmin Smith
Julie Rousseau
Brian Risso
Stanford Teammates
Ogonna Nnamani
Nji Nnamani
Susan King-Borchardt
Clare Bodensteiner
Jessie Elway
Brooke Smith
Krista Rappahahn
Melanie Murphy
JJ Hones
Jayne Appel
Michelle Harrison
Jeannette Pohlen
Kayla Pederson
Hannah Donaghe
Ashley Cimino
Jillian Harmon
Markisha Coleman
Eziamaka Okafor
Shelley Nweke
Kristen Newlin
Christy Titchenal
Morgan Clyburn
Cissy Pierce
Rosalyn Gold-Onwude
Special Seniors
Kelley Suminski
Sebnem Kimyaciolglu
Azella Perryman
T'Nae Thiel
Stanford Roommates
Amanda and Laurie
Laurie, also known as Dollie #2, was my freshman year roommate and truly made my Stanford experience complete.
My other freshman year roommate Amanda was a fiercely loyal woman from my motherland Maryland. Here she is seen supporting my WNBA career when I would play the Washington Mystics and we would get together afterwards.
Lee Michael Zapata
The kids from my freshman dorm, Roble Hall, have set the foundation to the friendships I have built over the past 15 years. Led by the bleeding man in the middle, Lee Michael Zapata.
Roble Hall 2A
Best Friends
Franci Girard
Tomell DeSilva
Tomell, literally my best friend in the whole wide world. We met Fall 2004 as a pair of fearless, yet fearful freshmen at Stanford. He supported me most throughout my basketball career as a true friend off the court.
Sorority Sisters
Jessica Johnson
Portia Brown
Desiree Burroughs-Ray
Tomi Onatunde
Reyna Camps
Maisha Davis
Maisha holds a high significance to my life: not only is she my Dean (sorority), we also competed against each other in high school for a state championship, when she played for Pilgrim.
Brotherhood
Akintunde Maiyegun
Tunde and I met in the computer lab, when we were the only 2 in the room. Although he never played sports, he joined our brother fraternity, and greatest of all we continue to support one another throughout our lives. Here he is seen with me and Ros in 2015 during my last year playing basketball for the New York Liberty.
Stanford Professors
Clayborne Carson
Patrick Hunt
There are countless more on this list; many, many people who share a special part of me. Today I understand how vast the influence around me has been throughout the entire course of my basketball career and my life. As I hold on to the memories of all of those who have shaped my past, I look ahead to the future. I finally realize this most important thought: nobody goes through life or ever accomplishes anything significant alone.