Women's basketball legend Candace Parker announced her retirement via social media on Sunday.
“I promised that I would never cheat at the game, and that I would leave it in a better place than I entered it.” Parker posted on Instagram. “The competitor in me always wanted one more, but it was time. My heart and body knew it, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.”
Parker was sidelined with a foot injury for most of the 2023 season, her first with the Las Vegas Aces. She appeared in her final match on July 7.
“This season has not been fun on the feet of non-cooperation,” Parker posted. “It's not fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career) It's not fun knowing what you can do, it's just… It's not fun hearing 'it's not the same' when I know why, it's not fun” Accept the fact that you need To have surgery again.”
Parker, 38, is one of the most decorated athletes, having won NCAA titles at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008 before being selected No. 1 in the 2008 NBA draft. She won championships with the Los Angeles Sparks (2016, Finals MVP), hometown Chicago Sky (2021) and Aces (2023).
“The Las Vegas Aces family is grateful for the role Candace played in the 2023 WNBA Championship season, and for giving us all the opportunity to watch one of the game’s most important players over the past two years,” the team said in a statement. “Decades.”
She was also a two-time league MVP (2008, '13), a seven-time WNBA All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year (2020) and a two-time Olympian (2008, '12).
“I'm grateful to have played the game for 16 years for a living, and despite all the injuries, I wish I had,” Parker said. “I am grateful to the family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers and fans who have made this journey so special.”
“Student. Incurable problem solver. Amateur baconaholic. Introvert. Infuriatingly humble music fanatic.”