All-around WNBA legend Candace Parker announced her retirement from the game on Sunday via Instagram.
“I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it,” Parker wrote on IG. “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. 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 38-year-old signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Las Vegas Aces after missing half the 2023 season with a foot injury.
She explained that her foot wasn’t responding correctly after rehab and surgery.
“This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating,” Parker posted. “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.”
Parker has achieved greatness throughout her career, including winning two NCAA titles at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008, before being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft.
She won three WNBA championships, one with the Los Angeles Sparks (2016, Finals MVP), the Chicago Sky (2021) and the Aces (2023).
Parker was a two-time league MVP (2008, 2013), a seven-time WNBA All-Star, the league’s defensive player of the year (2020) and a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012).
“I’m grateful that for 16 years I PLAYED A GAME for a living & DESPITE all the injuries, I hooped,” Parker posted. “I’m grateful for family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers & fans who made this journey so special.”
