Basketball legend and LVFL Candace Parker announces retirement
The 38-year-old Parker retires as one of the most decorated female athletes in the game.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -On Sunday, women’s basketball legend and Lady Vol For Life Candace Parker took to Instagram to announce her retirement from professional basketball.
In her final season in 2023, Parker played for the Las Vegas Aces and suffered a foot injury that sidelined her for most of the season.
“This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating,” Parker explained in her Instagram post. “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.”
What a run indeed for Parker, who had her #3 jersey retired at Tennessee. She was the first player to ever dunk in an NCAA Tournament game and WVLT Sports spoke with the LVFL who passed her the ball in advance of those dunks, current Girls Inc. Director, Nicky Anosike
The 38-year-old Parker retires as one of the most decorated female athletes in the game. Parker won back to back NCAA titles with the Vols in 2007 and 2008, leading up to her being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. Parker went on to win multiple championships during her WNBA career including one in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks accompanied by a Finals MVP, her hometown Chicago Sky in 2021 and the Aces in her final season in 2023.
Parker was also a two-time league MVP in 2008 and 2013, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and a two-time Olympian playing for Team USA in 2008 and 2012.
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