Los Angeles Sparks to retire Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey in June
Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey will be raised to the rafters at Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks will retire the WNBA legend's jersey on June 29 at halftime of Los Angeles' game against the Chicago Sky, the team announced Thursday.
Parker, who holds the Sparks' all-time assists record (1,331), announced her retirement from basketball last April after a prolific career in which she was named a two-time WNBA MVP and seven-time All-Star. She also won three WNBA championships, two Olympic gold medals and two NCAA championships.
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She will become the third Spark to have her jersey retired, joining Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11).
'To see my jersey hanging in the rafters amongst other legends is truly an honor,' Parker said in a news release. '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. 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.
'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.'
The No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, Parker spent the first 13 seasons of her 16-year tenure in the league with Los Angeles (2008-2020), where she helped the franchise win its third and most recent title in 2016 (she also won championships with the Sky and Las Vegas Aces).
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Parker's daughter Lailaa was born in 2009; the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) 'was her playground growing up,' Parker said in the release.
The team said Parker's jersey retirement ceremony will feature a halftime tribute with appearances from former teammates, coaches and special guests, as well as a video of Parker's highlights with the franchise.
'Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Sparks, not only as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court, but as a true ambassador of our franchise and women's basketball as a whole. Beginning with her arrival to the City of Angels in 2008, she not only lived up to the expectations placed on her as a two-time Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year and NCAA national champion, she far exceeded them,' Sparks co-owner Magic Johnson said in a statement. 'Her unparalleled skill, relentless drive and leadership elevated the Sparks to new heights and set a new standard of greatness.
'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. 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.'
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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