LAS VEGAS — Three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker has announced her retirement from professional basketball after 16 seasons. Parker is the first player in WNBA history to win a championship with three different teams.
“I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it,” Parker wrote in an Instagram post. “I always wanted to walk off the court with no parade or tour, just privately with the ones I love. What now was to be my last game, I walked off the court with my daughter. I ended the journey just as I started it, with her.”
Parker continued, saying that her offseason has been a difficult one “on a foot that isn’t cooperating.”
“It’s no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career) it’s no fun knowing what you could do, if only…it’s no fun hearing ‘she isn’t the same’ when I know why, it’s no fun accepting the fact you need surgery AGAIN,” she explained. “I fell in love with a little orange ball at 13 years old and BECAUSE of it my world goes ‘round. The highs are unmatched & the lows taught me lessons. On & off the court I’m proud I’ve always been true & stayed true to ME, even when it wasn’t popular.”
The Las Vegas Aces released the following statement after the announcement was made:
The dunks. The dimes. The boards. The blocks. The smile. The swagger.
The memories Candace Parker created for a generation of women’s basketball fans
will remain ingrained in our collective conscience forever,
but she has given so much more to the game beyond her accolades and statistics.
As a teammate and mentor, a mother and wife, a baller, broadcaster and businesswoman,
she has inspired countless young people, both boys and girls,
to chase and achieve their dreams.
Although the majority of her career was played in opposing uniforms,
we were blessed to have her as part of our championship team a year ago.
We are saddened that she won’t be a part of our three-peat aspirations,
but we look forward to welcoming Candace back to Las Vegas as an Aces alum,
and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter in her life has to offer.
Thanks for the memories, Candace.
The Las Vegas Aces.
According to the Associated Press, the two-time Olympic champion, University of Tennessee hoop legend and No. 1 draft pick said she wanted to play another season if she could recover from a foot injury that prevented her from playing last season.
Several notable people and teams expressed their gratitude and gave congratulatory remarks following Parker’s announcement:
“Congratulations on a legendary career @candaceparker!” – Charles Barkley
“Your place in sports history is cemented. You’re a champion, a great wife & mother, daughter, teammate and friend. You’ve had one of the most remarkable, seamless transitions into broadcast. I have no doubt your post-basketball career pursuits will be just as rewarding and accomplished as your playing career. While I’m going to miss seeing you on the court, what you’ve done for the game is a big reason the game is as healthy as it is. Salute my friend!” – Jemele Hill
“It’s in black & white… it’s official. Sending you love and hugs. Xo.” – Vanessa Bryant
“LEGEND.” – Angel Reese
“Legendary. Game Changer. Inspiration. I’ve loved watching you since the beginning and can’t wait to watch you continue to thrive off the court.” – Allyson Felix
“The game gonna miss you.” – Trae Young
“So proud of you!!!!! You did it all on your terms, You left the game of Basketball in a better place. I salute you ,,one of the Best Players & Human beings I’ve gotten to meet through the game of Basketball!!!” – Steve Smith
For the first 13 seasons of being in the league, Parker played for the Los Angeles Sparks, where she won her first title in 2016. She won her second title with the Chicago Sky in 2021. Her third title was won with the Las Vegas Aces last season.
Parker’s presence at Tennessee helped transform women’s basketball. She led the school’s women’s basketball team to NCAA National Championships in 2007 and 2008 before embarking on an impact-filled WNBA career. Other accolades include the 2019 Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame, being named the 2020 SEC Women’s Legend, and being one of six women’s players at Tennessee to have her jersey banner hang from the rafters in Thompson-Boling Arena.
Since 2018, Parker has worked as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT, during the WNBA offseason. In 2019, she worked as an analyst for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game, and began serving as an analyst and commentator for NBA TV and NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS Sports.
