New York, NY (Betting Express) - Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker was named Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in the WNBA on Friday, the first time any player has received both honors in the same season.

Averaging nearly a double-double per game, Parker posted game averages of 18.5 points -- fourth in the league -- and a league-leading 9.5 rebounds. She was also second in the league in blocks.

Parker barely beat out Connecticut's Lindsay Whalen for the award, as it was the closest MVP vote in league history. The Sparks forward finished with 276.79 total voting points while Whalen garnered 242.08. Seattle's Sue Bird, San Antonio's Sophia Young and Phoenix's Diana Taurasi rounded out the top five. Last year's winner, Lauren Jackson of Seattle, finished a distant 10th.

Parker, a unanimous choice for the Rookie of the Year award, led all freshmen in scoring (18.5), rebounding (9.5), blocks (2.3) and minutes (33.6).

The first overall pick in the 2008 draft, she led the league in double-doubles with 17. She posted the best rookie debut in WNBA history with 34 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a win against Phoenix on May 17.

She helped the Sparks defeat the Seattle Storm in the Western Conference semifinals, but the team was ousted by the San Antonio Silver Stars in the conference finals.