Candace Parker Retires from WNBA After 16-Year Career
Two-Time MVP and Champion Calls it a Day
Candace Parker, one of the greatest players in WNBA history, announced her retirement on Sunday after 16 seasons in the league. The two-time WNBA MVP and three-time WNBA Champion leaves the game as one of the most decorated players of all time.
A Legendary Career
Parker was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She quickly became one of the league's most dominant players, averaging 16.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over her first six seasons in Los Angeles.
In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to their first WNBA Championship since 2002. She was named the Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Parker won her second WNBA Championship in 2021 with the Chicago Sky, where she was named the WNBA Finals MVP once again.
A Trailblazing Icon
Beyond her on-court accomplishments, Parker has been a trailblazing icon for women's basketball. She was the first woman to dunk in a college game and the first woman to win both the NCAA Championship and the WNBA Championship in the same year.
Parker has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and gender equality. She has used her platform to speak out against racism, sexism, and homophobia. She is a role model for young girls and women around the world.
A Legacy of Success
Candace Parker is one of the most accomplished players in WNBA history. She is a two-time WNBA MVP, three-time WNBA Champion, six-time All-Star, and two-time Olympic gold medalist. She will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when she is eligible.
Parker's retirement leaves a void in the WNBA, but her legacy will continue to inspire generations of players to come.
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