-
Alexa Philippou, ESPN
Women’s basketball legend Candace Parker announced her retirement on social media Sunday.
“I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it,” Parker posted to Instagram. “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.”
Parker was sidelined with a foot injury for most of the 2023 campaign — her first with the Las Vegas Aces. She appeared in her final game July 7.
“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, 38, is one of the game’s most decorated athletes, having won NCAA titles at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008 before being selected No. 1 in the 2008 WNBA draft. She won championships with the Los Angeles Sparks (2016, Finals MVP), her hometown Chicago Sky (2021) and the Aces (2023).
“The Las Vegas Aces family is thankful for the role Candace played in the 2023 WNBA championship season,” the team said in a statement, “and for giving all of us the opportunity to watch one of the GOATs of the game over the past two decades.”
She was also a two-time league MVP (2008, ’13), a seven-time WNBA All-Star, a Defensive Player of the Year (2020) and a two-time Olympian (2008, ’12).
“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.”