Candace Parker is calling it a career.
The Lady Vols great and 16-year WNBA veteran announced her departure from the league on Sunday through Instagram.
“I promised I’d never cheat the game and would leave it better than I found it,” Parker posted on Instagram. “My competition usually wants one more, but it’s time. My heart and body knew, but I had to give my head time to accept it.”
Parker told the Associated Press in November that she did not want to “cheat the game or cheat myself” when considering whether to return for the 2024 season, and that her decision would be based on how her foot injury recovered.
Parker had previously signed a one-year contract in February to return to the Las Vegas Aces, where she had played one season before but missed the second part of the 2023 season due to a foot ailment.
However, Parker stated in her announcement that the healing process is not proceeding as expected, citing the injury as a factor in her choice. Parker battled through the injury during the 2023 season before damaging her right ankle and achilles tendon. According to the AP, she later discovered that her left foot was 89% shattered.
“This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating,” her post read. “It’s no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career).”
Parker, one of the most decorated players in history, is a three-time WNBA champion who has averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 47.9%. She also won MVP twice, in 2008 and 2013, and was named to seven All-Star teams.
Parker was also one of Tennessee’s finest players of all time, winning the Wooden Award twice (in 2007 and 2008) and leading the Volunteers to national titles in both seasons. She is one of six Lady Vols whose numbers have been retired by the program, and she was also the first female basketball player to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game.
Candace Parker retirement
Here’s the full message Candace Parker shared in her retirement announcement:
“I pledged I’d never cheat the game and would leave it better than I found it. My competitor constantly wants one more, but it’s time. My HEART and body knew, but I wanted to give my mind time to process it. I’ve always wanted to go off the court without a parade or tour, just with the people I love. After what would be my final game, I walked off the court with my daughter. I finished the adventure with her, exactly as I had begun it.
“This offseason hasn’t been fun with a foot that won’t cooperate. It’s not fun to play in agony (10 operations in my career), or to think about what you could have done if…It’s no joy hearing “she isn’t the same” when I know why, and it’s no fun admitting you need surgery again. At the age of 13, I fell in love with a small orange ball, and my life revolves around it. The highs were unsurpassed, and the lows taught me valuable lessons. On and off the court, I’m proud that I’ve always been and remained true to myself, even when it wasn’t popular.
“I’m grateful that for 16 years, I played a game for a living and hooped despite all of my ailments. I’m grateful to the family, friends, teammates, coaches, physicians, trainers, and fans that helped make this journey so memorable. In the meantime, understand that I AM A BUSINESS, not a BUSINESSMAN. This marks the beginning…I’m tackling business, private equity, ownership (I’ll own an NBA and WNBA franchise), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, and dominoes (sorry honey, it’s about to get more serious) with the same zeal and focus that I handled basketball.
“My mission in life, as Pat Summitt once stated, is to “follow people and passions and you will never fail.” Being a wife and mother is still number #1, and I’ve realized that time flies, so I intend to enjoy my family to the fullest! Today’s players: ENJOY IT. No matter how much you prepare, you will be unprepared for the void it creates in your soul. Forgive me while I mourn, but I’ll be back to enjoy the game differently in a time.”
Candace Parker stats
- Career: 16 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.3 steals per game on 47.9% shooting.
Throughout her 16-year career, Candace Parker averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds, and four assists per game, and she is presently ninth on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list with 6,574 points.
Candace Parker age
Candace Parker is 38 years old at the time of her retirement. She last played during the first half of the 2023 season before suffering a foot injury.
