KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Legendary Lady Vol and WNBA star Candace Parker announced her retirement on Sunday through an Instagram Post.
"I promised I'd never cheat the game & that I'd leave it in a better place than I came into it," Parker said. "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."
The 38-year-old is one of the most decorated athletes in women's basketball. At Tennessee, Parker won two NCAA titles in 2007 and 2008 before being selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 WNBA draft.
In her WNBA career, Parker was the first player in WNBA history to win a championship with three different teams in her 16-year career. One with the Los Angeles Sparks (2016), the Chicago Sky (2021), and the Los Vegas Aces this past season in 2023.
Parker was a two-time MVP in 2008 and 2013, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, and a two-time Olympian in 2008 and 2012.
In her first season as an ACE, she was benched with a foot injury for most of the 2023 season. Her final game in the WNBA was played on July 7. On Instagram, she expressed that the injury was tough to go through.
"This offseason hasn't been fun on a foot that isn't cooperating," Parker posted. "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."
This decision felt right for Parker at this point in her life, and she couldn't be more thankful for the game that gave her the career of a lifetime.
"I'm grateful that for 16 years I PLAYED A GAME for a living & DESPITE all the injuries, I hooped," Parker said. "I'm grateful for family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers & fans who made this journey so special."
