CNN
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Three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker announced her retirement in a social media post on Sunday.
The No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft played 16 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces.
“I promised I would never cheat the game and leave it in a better place than where I entered it,” Parker said on Instagram. “The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART and body knew it, but I had to give my mind time to accept it.
“This offseason has not been fun on an uncooperative foot. It’s not fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career), it’s not fun knowing what you could do, even just… it’s not fun hearing ” she’s not the same” when I know why, it’s no fun accepting the fact that you STILL need surgery.
The two-time WNBA MVP retires as a two-time Olympic gold medalist. The 38-year-old was named to the league’s Top 20 and W25 teams, a collection of the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history. During her career, Parker was a 10-time All-WNBA honoree and a seven-time WNBA All-Star.
She led the Sparks to 11 playoff appearances during her 13 seasons with the franchise, culminating with a WNBA championship in 2016. During her first year, Parker became the first player in WNBA history to being named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Year. the same season in 2008.
She returned to her hometown team in 2021, signing with Sky as a free agent and leading the team to its first-ever WNBA championship in the first of two seasons with the franchise.
After her time with the Sky, Parker joined the Aces where she helped the team go 16-2 before being sidelined for the remainder of the championship-winning season due to a foot injury.
“The dunks. The ten cents. Boards. The blocks. Smile. The swagger. The memories Candace Parker created for a generation of women’s basketball fans will forever be ingrained in our collective consciousness, but she gave so much more to the game beyond her accolades and statistics,” the Aces said in a press release.
“Even though the majority of his career was spent in opposing uniforms, we were fortunate to have him on our championship team a year ago. We’re sad she’s not one of our three aspirations, but we’re excited to welcome Candace back to Las Vegas as an Aces alumna, and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter of her life will be . to offer.”
During her college career, Parker led the Tennessee Lady Vols to two NCAA national championship titles, in 2007 and 2008. She was named Final Four MVP for both championship runs.
Most recently, Parker worked as an analyst and commentator at Warner Bros. Discovery, including NBA on TNT, NBA TV and NCAA tournament coverage.
“I fell in love with a little orange ball when I was 13 and because of it, my world turns,” Parker said. “The highs are unmatched and the lows have taught me lessons. On and off the field, I’m proud to have always been true to ME, even when it wasn’t popular.
“I am grateful that I played a game for 16 years for a living and despite all the injuries, I played hoops. I am grateful to the family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers and fans who made this journey so special.
