WNBA star Candace Parker announced her retirement on April 28, 2024, after a standout 16-year career highlighted by three league championships and two Olympic gold medals. Parker started her WNBA journey with the Los Angeles Sparks, selected first in the 2008 draft.
She quickly made a name for herself, winning Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in her first season. She also played key roles with the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces, capturing titles and establishing herself as a top player in women’s basketball.
Check out Candace Parker’s retirement announcement in her Instagram post:
View this post on Instagram
Looking forward, Parker aims to stay connected to basketball and the sports community through team ownership and broadcasting roles. Her ongoing involvement is expected to inspire future generations and support the growth of women’s basketball.
As Parker steps back from playing professionally, her legacy is celebrated for her impressive stats and as a game-changing figure in the WNBA. The league has acknowledged her significant impact, stating she “left the game better than she found it.”
Candace Parker’s Career Highlights
- WNBA Champion: 2016 (LA), 2021 (CHI), 2023 (LV)
- WNBA Most Valuable Player: 2008, 2013
- All-WNBA First Team: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022
- All-WNBA Second Team: 2009, 2015, 2018
- WNBA All-Star: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
- WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2020
- WNBA All-Defensive Second Team: 2009, 2012
- WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 2016
- WNBA Rookie of the Year: 2008
- WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player: 2013
- Olympic Gold Medals: 2008, 2012
- NCAA Championships: 2007, 2008
- Final Four Most Outstanding Player: 2007, 2008
- Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year: 2007-08
- John R. Wooden Awards: 2006-07, 2007-08
- AP Player of the Year: 2006-07, 2007-08
WNBA 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)
As the basketball community looks back on her career, they see a player who reshaped the game and paved the way for the next generation of stars.
Parker’s gameplay was notable for her scoring, rebounding, and assisting abilities, helping her teams to many wins and pushing the boundaries of what female athletes can achieve in basketball. Off the court, she has been a strong voice for women in sports and a mentor to younger players.
In an emotional Instagram post, Parker shared her reasons for retiring. She pointed to the physical demands of the sport and her deep respect for the game. She expressed a heartfelt goodbye, wanting to end her career while still performing at a high level and reflecting on the challenges of maintaining such performance.
