Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, made the announcement on Sunday that she is retiring.
In a heartfelt announcement on Sunday, Parker, a remarkable two-time league MVP, shared on social media that she has made the decision to bring her illustrious 16-season basketball career to a close.
Parker spent her initial 13 seasons in the league as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks.
In 2008, she made history in the WNBA by becoming the first player to ever receive both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season. Her outstanding performance on the court, with an average of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, greatly contributed to the Sparks’ impressive 10-win improvement.
Candace Parker made history last season by becoming the first player in the league to win a championship with three different teams. After securing a title with the Las Vegas Aces, she added to her previous championship victories with the Sparks in 2016 and the Chicago Sky in 2021.
“I made a promise to myself that I would never cheat the game and that I would leave it in a better place than when I first entered,” Parker expressed in her heartfelt social media post. “The competitor within me always yearns for one more opportunity, but now is the time to step away. Deep down, my heart and body knew it was time, but I needed to give my mind the space to fully accept this decision.”
