Los Angeles, California – The echoes of a legendary career, birthed on the hallowed hardwood of Knoxville and blossomed under the bright lights of the WNBA, reverberated through Crypto.com Arena today as the Los Angeles Sparks officially retired Candace Parker’s iconic No. 3 jersey. In a moment steeped in emotion, reverence, and well-deserved adoration, Parker’s jersey was hoisted to the rafters during a spectacular halftime ceremony, forever cementing her indelible mark on the franchise, the league, and the sport of basketball itself.
The highly anticipated event, which took place during the Sparks’ game against the Chicago Sky on Sunday, June 29, 2025, served as a poignant homecoming for Parker, who spent 13 of her illustrious 16 WNBA seasons with the Los Angeles franchise. She joined an elite, exclusive club, becoming only the third player in Sparks history to have her jersey retired, alongside fellow Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11). The significance of this moment, marking the first of two planned jersey retirements for Parker (with the Chicago Sky set to honor her later this summer), underscores her unprecedented impact and versatility across multiple championship-winning teams.
Candace Parker’s journey from phenom to legend began at the University of Tennessee, where she led the Lady Vols to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2007 and 2008 under the legendary Pat Summitt. During her collegiate career, Parker averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.5 blocks in 110 games, leaving a trail of broken records and shattered expectations. She was a two-time NCAA Tournament MOP, two-time Wooden Award winner, Naismith College Player of the Year, and a three-time All-American. Her time in Knoxville was not just about winning; it was about transforming the perception of women’s basketball, showcasing a skillset that defied traditional positions. She was the first woman to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game and twice in her collegiate career.
When she declared for the WNBA Draft in 2008, the anticipation was immense. The Los Angeles Sparks selected her as the No. 1 overall pick, a decision that would redefine their franchise. Parker wasted no time in making an impact, becoming the only player in WNBA history to win both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season (2008). In her debut game, she erupted for 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, setting a new rookie scoring record. Just over a month later, she achieved a statistical rarity, logging a 5×5 stat line (16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists, and 5 steals), further illustrating her all-around brilliance. She also became the second woman to dunk in a WNBA game, and the first to do so twice in her WNBA career.
Over her 13 seasons with the Sparks (2008-2020), Parker compiled a remarkable stat line, averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. She holds the franchise record for career assists (1,331) and ranks second in both rebounds and points. Her tenure in Los Angeles culminated in the 2016 WNBA Championship, a hard-fought five-game series victory over the Minnesota Lynx, where Parker was deservedly named the Finals MVP.
Beyond the statistics, Parker’s game transcended the traditional boundaries of a post player. Her ability to handle the ball, initiate offense, shoot from beyond the arc, and facilitate with exceptional passing vision made her a true positionless player, a trailblazer whose style of play influenced an entire generation of athletes. As former Sparks teammate Nneka Ogwumike once put it, Parker “made it cool, not just to be a parent, but also to be a post player and be able to shoot the three, man, and bring the ball up, and not just be put in the box.”
The jersey retirement ceremony was a star-studded affair, attended by current and former teammates, coaches, WNBA executives, and a legion of devoted fans. The atmosphere in Crypto.com Arena was electric, charged with a profound sense of gratitude for a player who brought so much joy, excitement, and success to the city.
Tribute videos poured in from basketball luminaries, including former Lakers player and Sparks coach Michael Cooper, and Sparks owner Magic Johnson. Johnson, whose own jersey hangs proudly in the same rafters, offered a powerful testament to Parker’s impact: “Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Sparks, not only as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court, but as a true ambassador of our franchise and women’s basketball as a whole. Her unparalleled skill, relentless drive, and leadership elevated the Sparks to new heights and set a new standard of greatness. Candace is the best all-around player that has ever played in the WNBA.”
WNBA Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, who was a teammate of Parker’s early in her career and symbolically “handed over the keys” to the franchise’s future to Parker, delivered an emotional introduction. “She changed the game,” Leslie said, her voice filled with admiration. “When I handed the keys over to Candace Parker, I knew the Sparks were in good hands. Nobody else can do what she’s done for the LA Sparks.”
Parker, dressed in an orange outfit as a touching nod to her Tennessee roots, stood at center court flanked by her family – her daughter Lailaa, and sons Airr Larry and Hartt Summitt. The standing ovation she received was deafening, a roaring testament to the love and respect she commanded.
“It’s surreal to be honest,” Parker reflected during her speech. “I would be lying if I didn’t say that when I go into an organization I want to be one of the best. I want to be remembered as one of the best.” She spoke with heartfelt sincerity about her 13 years in Los Angeles: “When I got drafted out here, it’s become home. I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else. It’s super important to see this jersey in the rafters before any others because my 13 years here were super special. It was ups, downs, wins, losses, heartaches and rewards but it’s super special to share that with my teammates and coaches with an organization that bet on me with the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. That was a long time ago.”
Even after her departure from the Sparks, Parker continued to defy expectations, adding two more WNBA championships to her resume: one with her hometown Chicago Sky in 2021 and a third with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, her final season. This achievement made her the first player in WNBA history to win a championship with three different teams.
Beyond her playing career, Parker has transitioned seamlessly into various roles, demonstrating her diverse talents and continued impact on the sport. She has been a respected analyst and commentator for TNT Sports, providing insightful coverage for NBA and NCAA men’s basketball games. Following her retirement in spring 2024, she took on a significant leadership role as the President of Women’s Basketball for Adidas, further influencing the future of the game from a corporate standpoint. Her recent book, “The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passions,” adds “author” to her extensive list of accomplishments.
Candace Parker’s jersey hanging in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena is more than just a tribute to a phenomenal basketball player. It’s a celebration of a pioneer, a mother, a leader, and a role model who consistently pushed boundaries and redefined what’s possible. Her impact transcends statistics and accolades; it lies in the inspiration she provided to countless young athletes, proving that with talent, dedication, and a “can-do” mindset, anything is achievable. From her days on Rocky Top to her triumphs in the WNBA, Candace Parker did it her way, and now her legacy shines forever in the rafters.
