Los Angeles Sparks Retire Candace Parker Jersey in Historic Ceremony

Candace Parker's legendary career was celebrated with the retirement of her No. 3 jersey by the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena, marking her as one of the franchise's all-time greats alongside Lisa Leslie and Penny Toler. The event drew praise from numerous basketball icons, including Magic Johnson, who compared her impact to that of Lakers legends like Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Lisa Leslie, who lauded Parker for revolutionizing the game and carrying the Sparks' legacy. Parker's accolades span a 13-year career with the Sparks and stints with Chicago and Las Vegas, including three WNBA championships, two MVP awards, Defensive Player of the Year, and multiple All-Star selections. The ceremony highlighted her influence not only as a player but also as a community ambassador and role model, with Adidas honoring her through a floral installation and extensive fan and player tributes. Parker reflected on the journey and the support of her family and teammates, emphasizing the collective nature of her success. Additionally, Parker will receive a jersey retirement from the Chicago Sky later, commemorating her contributions to multiple championship teams across the league.