AIDS education ranks high on Wiggins' busy schedule

Thursday was World AIDS Day. And Candice Wiggins wanted everyone to know.

The Lynx guard was in New York City, talking and chatting online about the disease that took her father from her almost 21 years ago.

Alan Wiggins, a former major league ballplayer, died of complications from AIDS in January 1991

His daughter, then almost 4, can't forget. On Thursday, in between attending two March of Dimes events in the Big Apple, she participated in a live chat about basketball and AIDS on the WNBA's website and gave interviews on the two subjects she knows so much about.

"[My father's] death had a huge significance in my life, first in a negative way and now in a positive way," Wiggins said. "It's kind of who I am."

She recently made a video for the Greater Than AIDS movement.

"It's hard to say one thing people should do today," Wiggins said. "But absolutely, they should know their status."

"Don't be afraid to ask questions; there are so many community outreach programs," she said. "Don't be afraid about what you do not know -- your personal status. A very significant number of people with HIV don't know it."

She said she has met a lot of lot of people with AIDS.

"Many people living with HIV live incredible, happy lives," Wiggins said. "Their life is not horrible. There are a lot of medicines that help. ... There is so much support in this country."

Wiggins has tried to work with some of those groups, such as Until There Is A Cure, WNBA Cares and the Minnesota AIDS Project, as much as her schedule away from Lynx games and practices has permitted.

She said typical people should go for HIV testing more often. "We take many different tests for lots of things," Wiggins said. "It's a process that is routine for an athlete, but it's not routine for everyone."

Instead of playing basketball overseas, she is an assistant women's basketball coach at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

She had a strong connection to that program even before she took the job. Heidi VanDerveer is Occidental's coach and the sister of her college coach, Tara, at Stanford.

She worked with Heidi VanDerveer last spring on her basketball skills before reporting to Lynx training camp.

"Occidental reminds me of my Stanford teammates," Wiggins said. "The players have to be ultimately organized because they are studying chemistry, biology and also playing basketball.

"They are very appreciative when you help them," said Wiggins, who is still considering overseas basketball offers.

"I love my year last [season], but rest is the key, the No. 1 priority for me," said Wiggins, who had an injury-plagued 2010 season. "Not that I am resting completely. I am working with Heidi. I am excited by the WNBA and getting better.

"And still being in this country, I get so many opportunities to see my family," said Wiggins, who grew up in San Diego.

The Lynx, who won their first WNBA title this fall, also have special meaning for Wiggins. She will become a restricted free agent in February and can sign with anyone, although the Lynx have the right to match any offer,

"I love the Minnesota fans," Wiggins said, "and right now their fans deserve praise. I love the Lynx, I love my teammates. I want to be in Minnesota."

And the Lynx almost certainly will make her an offer.

How the Lynx build their roster for 2012 will be intriguing. Only center Taj McWilliams-Franklin, 41, is a question mark. She may retire after winning her second championship ring.

Four league all-stars return at the other starting spots, including Lindsay Whalen at point guard and Seimone Augustus at shooting guard, the two positions for which Wiggins is best suited.

The Lynx also have two picks in the first round of 2012 WNBA draft -- Nos. 3 and 12 -- and three in the second round. That's a wealth of assets, perhaps to use in a trade or two.

Her hectic life, meantime, has Wiggins' head spinning a bit. "Los Lynx, Occidental, World Aids Day," Wiggins said. "There are so many things." Whether to play overseas, too.