LOS ANGELES (AP) If Candace Parker may put music to her jersey retirement ceremony, it will be I Did It My Method, the Jay-Z remix of Frank Sinatras hit.
Parkers No. 3 Los Angeles Sparks jersey was raised to the rafters of Crypto.com Enviornment earlier than Sunday’s sport towards the Chicago Sky.
After being the No. 1 choose within the 2006 WNBA draft out of Tennessee, Parker had a standout 16-year profession, profitable championships with three groups the Sparks, her hometown Sky and Las Vegas. She was MVP of the WNBA Finals for LA in 2016.
The 39-year-old Parker is the third Sparks participant to have her jersey retired, becoming a member of Corridor of Famer Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11).
The five-time All-Star has all the time had huge desires.
I imply, whats potential, Parker stated. I characterize coming from a household that informed me I may do and be something. Im actually happy with that child. I believe Id do issues precisely the identical approach as a result of its why Im sitting right here. I made errors and took two steps ahead and one again, however I used to be all the time shifting ahead.
Parker, who wore an orange outfit as an ode to her faculty days, walked onto the court docket throughout the first timeout and received a standing ovation. Followers got yellow jerseys that learn Thats our Ace with the quantity 3 included into the design.
This was the primary of two jersey retirement ceremonies for Parker. Chicago will retire her jersey later this summer time.
After I received drafted out right here, its develop into house, Parker stated. Ive lived right here longer than anyplace else. Its tremendous vital to see this jersey within the rafters earlier than any others as a result of my 13 years right here had been tremendous particular. It was ups, downs, wins, losses, heartaches and rewards however its tremendous particular to share that with my teammates and coaches with a corporation that guess on me with the primary choose within the 2008 WNBA draft. That was a very long time in the past.
Parker was a two-time WNBA MVP with the Sparks, in 2008 and 2013. Shes the franchises profession assists chief with 1,331 and is second in rebounds and factors. She averaged 16.9 factors, 8.6 rebounds and three.9 assists together with 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals.
Throughout her second season, Parker gave delivery to a daughter. She returned to follow weeks later, and Lailaa Williams, now 16, was a welcome addition at practices and video games all through Parkers years in LA.
Candace Parkers impression on the WNBA is immeasurable. From the second she stepped onto the court docket as a rookie, profitable each MVP and Rookie of the Yr in the identical season, she has regularly redefined greatness, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelberg stated.
Past her accolades, Candace has been a frontrunner, a mentor, and a trailblazer inspiring the subsequent era of athletes together with her ability, resilience, and keenness for the sport. She has used her platform to raise womens sports activities, leaving an enduring legacy that transcends the court docket.
Parker, who additionally has two younger sons, has labored has a broadcaster and creator since her enjoying profession resulted in 2023. Her e-book, The Can-Do Mindset: How you can Domesticate Resilience, Observe Your Coronary heart, and Struggle for Your Passions, was revealed this month.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball