Candace Parker officially announced on Sunday that she is retiring from the game after more than a decade. Parker is arguably one of the most influential and iconic players in women’s basketball history.
A champion and seven-time WNBA All-Star, Parker is also a mentor, mother and inspiration to many. As we celebrate CP3’s legacy, here are some of the legendary moments from his career:
FIRST WOMAN DUNKING IN A COLLEGE GAME
Parker set the tone from the jump. Back in ’06, as a freshman at Tennessee, she defied the notion that women couldn’t dunk and showed the world she could dunk by becoming the first woman ever to dunk in the NCAA Tournament.
TOTAL DOMINATION IN TENNESSEE
Playing for the late and great Pat Summitt, Parker dominated filling in for the Volunteers. His college resume includes:
Winning the ’06 SEC Rookie of the Year.
Became the fastest player in Lady Vols history to score 1,000 career points.
Winning the 07 SEC Player of the Year.
Leads Lady Vols to back-to-back national championships.
Averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game.
ARRIVAL
Just one day after leading the Lady Vols to another NCAA National Championship, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Candace Parker as the No. 1 overall pick in the ’08 draft. Indeed, it was just the beginning for Parker, who was set to join Lisa Leslie.
THE PRESIDENT’S COURT
In her WNBA debut against the Phoenix Mercury, Parker dropped 34 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, surpassing Cynthia Cooper’s previous rookie debut record.
His dominance and skill were undeniable. Parker became the first WNBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same year. By the end of the season, she was also pregnant with her oldest daughter.
“I was actually pregnant (with Layla) at the end of my freshman year.” Candace told WSLAM for the SLAM 233 cover. “I accepted the MVP and Rookie of the Year award with my daughter and it was just our journey after that.”
2016 “CHIP
In a season dedicated to Summit, Parker emerged and showed during the 2016 season. After defeating the Chicago Sky 3-1, they reached the finals for the first time since 03 and went on to defeat the Lynx to bring back their third title in Los Angeles history. Parker was named Finals MVP.
“I remember a lot about that series. Just the grit, the focus, the energy it took to even get through that streak.” – 2016 Finals MVP said WSLAM. “I think it also speaks to my innocence because in 2008 we had a chance to get to the final and we lost in the last seconds. I had a number of baskets roll off the edge. And I think realizing that, like, we won on the back of… And after that everybody tells us we’re the best thing ever for a minute. I think that just kind of speaks to how to proceed.”
Back to NO
It was the free agency announcement that shook the world. After a stellar career in Los Angeles, Parker announced he was taking his talents to Chi, a decision that was as much about his family and life off the court as it was about his career.
“I believe a lot of things revolve around things,” Parker told us. “I think it was during my career that I realized how important people are to my career. Back home, I mean, my dad fixed the blinds the other day, we went to his house for Father’s Day, my mom makes me a pregame, picks up my daughter all the time. Dad sometimes brings donuts for my daughter, I can just go to my grandmother. I really appreciate the time I left home because I needed it. I had to settle into my home and get away from it, but come back to who I am now to really appreciate it.”
In our SLAM 233 cover story, CP3 opened up about his decision to join Sky, returning home to Chicago and more.
2021 “CHIP
History: Not only did Parker play a key role in leading the Sky to the 2021 WNBA Championship, the franchise’s first, but she was known for her leadership;read here).
IN VEGAS
Again, Parker’s decision to take his talents elsewhere, this time to Vegas, centered around family. Despite the injury, Parker’s presence added to the Aces’ star-studded roster as the team went on to win its second title as a franchise.
