THE LEGENDARY CANDACE PARKER RETIRES FROM WNBA

What will go down as one of the most legendary careers in women’s basketball officially ended today when Candace Parker formally retired from the WNBA. 

Parker's winning ways are truly legendary. She won three WNBA championships, two national titles at Tennessee, and two gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics for Team USA. But wait, there's more. She also won five Russian League championships with BC UMMC Ekaterinburg during WNBA offseasons. 

Here’s what she said in her Instagram retirement announcement:

I’m retiring.

I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.

I always wanted to walk off the court with no parade or tour, just privately with the ones I love. What now was to be my last game, I walked off the court with my daughter. I ended the journey just as I started it, with her.

This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating. It’s no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career) it’s no fun knowing what you could do, if only…it’s no fun hearing “she isn’t the same” when I know why, it’s no fun accepting the fact you need surgery AGAIN.

I fell in love with a little orange ball at 13 years old and BECAUSE of it my world goes ‘round. The highs are unmatched & the lows taught me lessons. On & off the court I’m proud I’ve always been true & stayed true to ME, even when it wasn’t popular.

I’m grateful that for 16 years I PLAYED A GAME for a living & DESPITE all the injuries, I hooped. I’m grateful for family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers & fans who made this journey so special.

In the mean time, know IM A BUSINESS, man, not a businessman. This is the beginning…I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, dominoes (sorry babe it’s going to get more real) with the same intensity & focus I did basketball.

My mission in life, like Pat Summitt always said, is to “chase people and passions and you will never fail.” Being a wife & mom still remains priority #1 & I’ve learned that time flies, so I plan to enjoy my family to the fullest!

Today’s players: ENJOY IT.

THE UNDERRATED NOTE
One of the true legends of the game has walked away on her own terms, Park who has been a regular on TNT since the 2018-19 NBA season, has been a studio analyst and game commentator, and has also been part of the NCAA tournament coverage for TNT and CBS. 

She also launched a production company, Baby Hair Productions, which has worked on projects such as an ESPN documentary, "Unapologetic," that covered her 2022 season with Chicago. She is also part of the ownership group for the NWSL's Los Angeles franchise, Angel City FC.