WNBA Legend and Former Champion Announces Retirement

After an illustrious 16-year career, WNBA legend and former Chicago Sky star Candace Parker officially announced her retirement on Sunday. 

In a post on Instagram, Parker wrote a heartfelt message that started with, “Dear Summer. I know you gon miss me.” She continued, “I’m retiring. I promised I’d never cheat the game and 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.”

WNBA News: Candace Parker Retires From Basketball

The 38-year-old Parker had one of the more decorated careers in women’s basketball as she won three WNBA titles with three different franchises (one with the Sky), two-time WNBA MVP, two-time Olympian, and two-time NCAA Champion.

Parker spent last season with the Las Vegas Aces, averaging 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 18 games. She missed the rest of the regular season and playoffs because of a foot injury.

Before she landed with the Aces, Parker spent two seasons with the Sky, where she helped lead her hometown team to a WNBA title in 2021. During that season, the former first-overall pick averaged 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

Parker started her career with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she was the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 and spent 13 seasons. The WNBA legend racked up numerous accolades in her time with the Sparks and won a title in 2016 (Finals MVP). 

The seven-time All-Star accomplished a ton throughout her basketball career in the WNBA and college and will be a sure-fire Hall of Famer.