Candace Parker, WNBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Retires
Candace Parker takes a photo for the Chicago Sky.
Photo cred: Nolis Anderson
By: Joshua Martin
Women’s basketball legend Candace Parker officially hangs up her sneaks after a storied college, pro and olympic career. The 3 time WNBA champion shared the news with her followers, Sunday (April 28th), with a lengthy social media post. The 38 year old expressed her love for the game and the factors that lead to her retirement.
“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.”
Candace Parker poses for the Chicago Sky.
Photo cred: Nolis Anderson
“My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it. 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.”
The two time League MVP also mentioned that a string of foot injuries also contributed to her calling it quits earlier than expected.
“This offseason hasn’t been fun 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.”
The former No. 1 overall player coming out of highschool enrolled at the University of Tennessee under the legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summit. While there Parker won two National Championships simultaneously being recognized as the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player both times. She would later be drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA draft.
In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to an WNBA title and was named the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player. In 2021, Parker signed with her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, and led the franchise to its first championship and the second of her career.
Parker signed with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, winning her third title in the process. An TNT analyst, the newly retired Parker will continue her role with the company.
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