The Sparks are retiring franchise star Candace Parker‘s No. 3 jersey at Crypto.com Arena during halftime of a game against the Chicago Sky on June 29, the team announced Thursday.
The forward won three WNBA championships, including the Sparks’ third title in 2016. Throughout her 13-year Sparks tenure, Parker was named WNBA MVP (2008, 2013), WNBA Finals MVP (2016) and WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months (2020). She earned All-Star honors 5 instances.
Parker will grow to be the third Sparks participant to have her jersey retired, becoming a member of Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11).
She holds the Sparks’ profession assists file (1,331), rating second in rebounds and third in factors.
“Very few champions get to see their jersey hanging from the rafters in this city. Retiring Candace’s No. 3 jersey is not just a celebration of her extraordinary career, but a tribute to the enduring mark she’s left on this organization, the WNBA, and the city of Los Angeles. She will forever be a part of the Sparks family.”
Parker performed for the Sparks from 2008-20, averaging 16.9 factors, 8.6 rebounds and three.9 assists throughout 337 common season video games.
Sparks gamers, together with Candace Parker, have a good time with a trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx to win the WNBA championship on Oct. 20, 2016.
(Jim Mone / Related Press)
The jersey retirement ceremony seems to fix a relationship that had grow to be strained throughout Parker’s profession. Former coach Derek Fisher benched Parker throughout a 2019 playoff elimination recreation, limiting the star to 11 minutes through the season-ending loss. The following season was shortened by COVID and the Sparks have been once more eradicated early within the playoffs. Parker selected to go away within the offseason, signing with the Chicago Sky. She grew up close to Chicago and led the Sky to the 2021 WNBA title throughout her first season with the crew.
Parker joined the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, enjoying half of the crew’s championship season earlier than fracturing her foot.
She introduced her retirement in April 2024.
