Aces star forward Candace Parker is calling it a career.
The WNBA legend announced her retirement in an Instagram post Sunday. The 38-year-old played 16 seasons in the WNBA and is undeniably one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time.
Parker is going out on top after her Aces won the championship in 2023, although she missed the title run after undergoing a foot surgery in late July that sidelined her for the remainder of the season.
“If I’m healthy, I’m gonna play. But I’m not gonna play in pain anymore," Parker said in an interview with The Athletic back in November. "It’s too important — the trick-or-treating, the crossing over my kids, it’s too important. If I’m healthy I’m gonna play."
Parker upheld those words when she announced her decision, citing her physical health as the main reason she is hanging up her shoes.
You can find Parker's retirement post below, along with a breakdown of everything she accomplished in her illustrious career.
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Candace Parker announces retirement
"I’m retiring," Parker wrote.
"I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. 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.
"I always wanted to walk off the court with no parade or tour, just privately with the ones I love. What now was to be my last game, I walked off the court with my daughter. I ended the journey just as I started it, with her.
"This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating. 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," she stated.
"... I’m grateful that for 16 years I PLAYED A GAME for a living & DESPITE all the injuries, I hooped. I’m grateful for family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers & fans who made this journey so special."
Parker went on to explain that even though she is done playing basketball, her next chapter in the sport is just beginning.
"In the mean time, know IM A BUSINESS, man, not a businessman. This is the beginning…I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, dominoes (sorry babe it’s going to get more real) with the same intensity & focus I did basketball."
After winning two NCAA titles with Tennessee, Parker went No. 1 overall to the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA Draft. The 6-4 forward also played for the Chicago Sky before ending her career in Las Vegas.
Shortly after Parker's post, the Aces released a statement confirming her retirement.
A statement from the Las Vegas Aces. pic.twitter.com/2kzuj1ZCFA
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) April 28, 2024
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Candace Parker career WNBA stats
- 16.0 points per game
- 6.9 rebounds per game
- 8.5 assists per game
- 4.0 steals per game
- 1.5 blocks per game
- 6,574 points (No. 9 overall)
- 3,467 rebounds (No. 3 overall)
- 610 rebounds in playoffs (No. 1 overall)
- 117 blocks in playoffs (No. 2 overall)
- 108 steals in playoffs (No. 2 overall)
Candace Parker career accolades
- NCAA championships x2 (2007, 2008)
- NCAA Tournament MOP x2 (2007, 2008)
- No. 1 overall pick in 2008 WNBA Draft
- WNBA championships x3 (2016, 2021, 2023)
- WNBA MVP x2 (2008 and 2013)
- WNBA Finals MVP (2016)
- WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
- WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008)
- WNBA All-Star x7 (2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
- WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
