WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert celebrated the career of Candace Parker on Sunday before the first of the two Jersey pensions for the longtime league superstar.
The Los Angeles Sparks will withdraw the double jersey n ° 3 of the MVP of the WNBA before Sunday’s match against the sky of the birthplace of Parker. Parker will join the temple of renown Lisa Leslie (n ° 9) and the former player and director general Penny Toler (n ° 11) as the third player to have her jersey withdrawn by the franchise.
The sky will remove its n ° 3 jersey later this summer, putting Parker with Lindsay Whalen as players of the Solitary WNBA so that their number is removed by two different teams. Whalen had his jersey removed by the Sun Connecticut and the Minnesota Lynx.
“The impact of Candace Parker on the WNBA is immeasurable,” said Engelbert. “From the moment she entered the field as a recruit, winning both MVP and recruit of the year during the same season, she continually redefined the greatness. A triple champion with three different teams, her career was marked by excellence, adaptability and an unshakable commitment to win.
“… by retiring in Los Angeles and Chicago – two cities in the WNBA where she shaped the culture and identity of their teams – is a powerful and appropriate tribute to any Candace has accomplished.”
Parker highlighted his 13 seasons with Los Angeles by helping the team as WNBA in 2016. All-star seven times was the n ° 1 choice at the 2008 WNBA draft by the Sparks.
Parker, 39, also won titles with Sky (2021) and Las Vegas Aces (2023).
It was recruited from the year and the Ligue MVP in 2008 and added a second MVP prize in 2013. Other distinctions include All-Star Game MVP (2013), MVP Finals (2016) and the defensive player of the year (2020).
Parker collected on average 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 interceptions and 1.5 blocks in 410 games (406 departures) with the Sparks (2008-2020), Sky (2021-22) and Aces (2023).
Parker was double NCAA champion and double wooden prize winner in Tennessee. In 2006, she became the first woman to have dunk in an NCAA tournament match.
She won Olympic gold medals with the United States team in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
– field level media