WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement
WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement: Three-time WNBA Champion, two-time league MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist Candace Parker announced on Sunday that she’s retiring after 16 years.
Parker spent most of her profession with the Los Angeles Sparks and performed most lately with the Las Vegas Aces, the place she began the primary 18 games of the year. Parker, who suffered an harm to her foot final year, stated the “offseason hasn’t been enjoyable on a foot that is not cooperating.”
“I promised I might by no means cheat the sport & that I might depart it in a greater place than I got here into it,” Parker stated in a social media put up. “The competitor in me at all times needs 1 extra, however it’s time. My HEART & physique knew, however I wanted to present my thoughts time to just accept it.”
Parker was the No. 1 choose within the 2008 WNBA Draft. She went on to develop into the primary participant in league history to win a championship with three totally different groups. She’s additionally the one participant in WNBA history to win each MVP and Rookie of the Year in the identical season
Parker stated she is not leaving the world of basketball. She plans to personal each an NBA and WNBA workforce, Parker stated in an Instagram put up. She’s additionally trying into personal fairness, broadcasting, manufacturing, seaside volleyball and dominoes “with the identical depth & focus I did basketball.”
“Irrespective of the way you put together for it, you will not be prepared for the hole it leaves in your soul,” she stated of retiring. “Forgive me as I mourn a bit, however I will be again loving the sport in another way shortly.”
She’s already reached the world of broadcasting, having worked as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT since 2019. She additionally served as an analyst and commentator for NBA TV and NCAA Match protection on CBS Sports activities.
The WNBA stated Parker was “leaving the sport higher than she discovered it.” She was additionally congratulated and thanked by the Aces.
WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement
“The memories Candace Parker created for a era of women’s basketball followers will stay ingrained in our collective conscience endlessly, however she has given a lot extra to the sport past her accolades and statistics,” the Aces stated in an announcement. “As a teammate and mentor, a mom and spouse, a baller, broadcaster, and businesswoman she has impressed numerous younger folks, each girls and boys, to chase and obtain their desires.”
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WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement
Parker’s career: Selected No. 1 overall within the 2008 WNBA Draft, Parker dominated the league in her 16-year career. The seven-time All-Star gained three championships with three totally different groups (Los Angeles Sparks in 2016, Chicago Sky in 2021 and Las Vegas Aces in 2023), making her the primary WNBA participant to take action in historical past.
She was named WNBA Finals MVP twice (2008 and 2013), and gained WNBA Defensive Participant of the Year in 2020. Parker is the one participant in league historical past to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the identical season (2008).
WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement
Parker performed for the late Pat Summitt’s final two nationwide championship groups at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008.
She gained gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
The present NBA TV & TNT analyst says she’s going to proceed to remain near the sport, specializing in broadcasting in each the WNBA and NBA.
“This is the beginning … I’m attacking business, private fairness, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball [and] dominoes with the same intensity & focus I did basketball.”
“WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement”
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