A Legendary Career Comes to an End: Candace Parker Announces Retirement
The WNBA bids farewell to one of its all-time greats. Candace Parker, a titan of the game, officially retired after a groundbreaking 16-year career. Fans of women’s basketball will always remember the incredible impact she made.
Parker’s storied career was marked by numerous accolades and achievements. She signed with the Las Vegas Aces prior to the 2023 season and helped the team win the WNBA crown.
- The Championship Collector: Let’s start with the hardware. Parker didn’t just win a WNBA championship; she won three championships with three different teams (Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces). That’s a feat no one else in the league can claim. Plus, she snagged Olympic gold medals and NCAA titles.
- The MVP and the Rookie: They say you can’t have it all, but Candace Parker proved them wrong. She’s the only player in WNBA history to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season. That kind of debut? Unheard of.
- The Analyst Extraordinaire: Parker demonstrated her basketball genius extends beyond the court. Since 2018, she has showcased her knowledge and insight as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game.
The Aces Pay Tribute to Ace
The dunks. The dimes. The boards. The blocks. The smile. The swagger.
The memories Candace Parker created for a generation of women’s basketball fans
will remain ingrained in our collective conscience forever,
but she has given so much more to the game beyond her accolades and statistics.As a teammate and mentor, a mother and wife, a baller, broadcaster and businesswoman,
she has inspired countless young people, both boys and girls,
to chase and achieve their dreams.Although the majority of her career was played in opposing uniforms,
we were blessed to have her as part of our championship team a year ago.
We are saddened that she won’t be a part of our three-peat aspirations,
but we look forward to welcoming Candace back to Las Vegas as an Aces alum,
and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter in her life has to offer.Thanks for the memories, Candace.
The Las Vegas Aces.
| Candace Parker’s Career Honors | ||
| WNBA Champion | 3 | 2016 (LA), 2021 (CHI), 2023 (LV) |
| WNBA Most Valuable Player | 2 | 2008, 2013 |
| All-WNBA First Team | 7 | 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022 |
| All-WNBA Second Team | 3 | 2009, 2015, 2018 |
| WNBA All-Star | 7 | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 |
| WNBA Defensive Player of the Year | 1 | 2020 |
| WNBA All-Defensive Second Team | 2 | 2009, 2012 |
| WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player | 1 | 2016 |
| WNBA Rookie of the Year | 1 | 2008 |
| WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player | 1 | 2013 |
| Olympic Gold Medalist | 2 | 2008, 2012 |
| NCAA Championship | 2 | 2007, 2008 |
| Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year | 1 | 2007-08 |
| John R. Wooden Award | 2 | 2006-07, 2007-08 |
| AP Player of the Year | 2 | 2006-07, 2007-08 |
| Final Four Most Outstanding Player | 2 | 2007, 2008 |
| Parker’s Career Rankings | ||
| Points | 6,574 | 9th |
| Field Goals | 2,471 | 7th |
| Field Goal Attempts | 5,163 | 9th |
| Free Throws | 1,290 | 13th |
| Free Throw Attempts | 1,682 | 12th |
| Rebounds | 3,467 | 3rd |
| Rebounds Per Game | 8.5 | 8th |
| Defensive Rebounds | 2,846 | 2nd |
| Defensive Rebounds Per Game | 6.9 | 3rd |
| Assists | 1,634 | 7th |
| Steals | 521 | 16th |
| Blocks | 619 | 5th |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.51 | 11th |
