Candace Parker, a former No. 1 general choose, three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP, introduced her retirement Sunday.
The 38-year-old ahead spent the 2023 season with the Aces, showing in 18 video games with Las Vegas earlier than coping with a foot harm that shortened her season.
“I promised I’d by no means cheat the sport & that I’d go away it in a greater place than I got here into it,” Parker wrote in a publish on Instagram. “The competitor in me at all times needs 1 extra, however it’s time. My HEART & physique knew, however I wanted to provide my thoughts time to simply accept it. I at all times needed to stroll off the courtroom with no parade or tour, simply privately with those I like.
“What now was to be my final recreation, I walked off the courtroom with my daughter. I ended the journey simply as I began it, along with her. This offseason hasn’t been enjoyable on a foot that isn’t cooperating. It’s no enjoyable taking part in in ache (10 surgical procedures in my profession) it’s no enjoyable realizing what you might do, if solely…it’s no enjoyable listening to “she isn’t the identical” once I know why, it’s no enjoyable accepting the actual fact you want surgical procedure AGAIN.”
Parker joined the Los Angeles Sparks because the No. 1 general choose after her collegiate profession at Tennessee, and she or he spent 13 years with the group earlier than becoming a member of the Chicago Sky for 2 — and spending her remaining marketing campaign in Las Vegas.
![Candace Parker spent two seasons with the Chicago Sky after 13 with the Los Angeles Sparks.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/parker-main-1-usa-today.jpg?w=1024)
She additionally gained two Olympic gold medals — in 2008 and 2012 — and have become some of the distinguished WNBA gamers all through her profession.
“As we speak’s gamers: ENJOY IT,” Parker wrote later in her Instagram publish. “Irrespective of the way you put together for it, you gained’t be prepared for the hole it leaves in your soul. Forgive me as I mourn a bit, however I’ll be again loving the sport in another way shortly.”