Lady Vols great Candace Parker will have Los Angeles Sparks No. 3 jersey retired
Lady Vols basketball great Candace Parker will have her jersey hanging from the rafters of another arena.
The Los Angeles Sparks announced Thursday the organization is retiring Parker's No. 3 jersey at Crypto.com Arena on June 29 at halftime of the Sparks' matchup with the Chicago Sky. Parker is the third player in team history to have her jersey retired, joining an elite club of Lisa Leslie and Penny Toler.
Parker, a two-time WNBA MVP, announced her retirement last April after 16 seasons in the league. She retired as a three-time WNBA champion and is still the only player in league history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Parker played the first 13 seasons of her career in Los Angeles.
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"To see my jersey hanging in the rafters amongst other legends is truly an honor. This moment is not just about me — it's about my family, my teammates, and the incredible support from the LA Sparks organization and fans," Parker said in a team release. "I'm grateful to my parents, who believed in me every step of the way, to my brothers who still are my heroes and to my wife and kids, who inspire me every day. The Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) raised Lailaa and this was her playground growing up.
"Holding the record for assists reminds me that basketball is never just about individual success — it's about elevating others and being a part of something bigger than yourself. This jersey represents all the moments, all the connections, and all the love that got me here."
There will be a jersey retirement ceremony at the game on June 29, including an on-court tribute at halftime with appearances from former teammates, coaches, and special guests. Former Lady Vols Rickea Jackson, Rae Burrell and Mercedes Russell are on roster for the Sparks.
Parker's No. 3 jersey has been retired at Tennessee since 2014. She's arguably the best player to ever suit up for the Lady Vols, leading them to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2007 and 2008. Parker was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player both years and won the Wade Trophy in 2007.
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Parker led Los Angeles to its third WNBA championship in 2016, which is the last time it has won a WNBA title. She was WNBA Finals MVP that season, and she also won WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020.
Parker was named to All-WNBA teams 10 times in her career, seven of them on first team, and she was a seven-time WNBA All-Star selection. She averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 337 regular season games for the Sparks, and she still holds the franchise's all-time assists record (1,331).
"Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Sparks," Sparks co-owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson said in the release. "Candace is the best all-around player that has ever played in the WNBA. Her legacy is immeasurable — she redefined excellence, was a champion on the court and for the Los Angeles community and inspired countless fans and future generations of athletes.
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"Very few champions get to see their jersey hanging from the rafters in this city. Retiring Candace's No. 3 jersey is not just a celebration of her extraordinary career, but a tribute to the enduring mark she's left on this organization, the WNBA, and the city of Los Angeles. She will forever be a part of the Sparks family."
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women's athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora's coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Los Angeles Sparks will retire Lady Vols great Candace Parker's jersey
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