Candace Parker’s Jersey To Be Retired By The Los Angeles Sparks

Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey will be retired by the Los Angeles Sparks. The ceremony will take place on June 29, the team announced Thursday (March 27).

In the history of the Los Angeles Sparks, Parkers becomes just the third player to have her jersey retired by the team. Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie’s No. 9 jersey was retired in 2010, and former player and general manager Penny Toler’s No. 11 jersey was retired in 2006.

In a statement, Parker expressed her gratitude for the honor.

“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 statement. “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. “

“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,” Sparks co-owner Magic Johnson said in a statement. “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.”

Regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, Parker was selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Sparks and spent 13 seasons with the franchise. She was named WNBA MVP twice (2008, and 2013), won the 2020 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and was chosen as an All-Star five times. The forward holds the franchise’s all-time assists record (1,331), places second in Los Angeles history in rebounds, ranks third in points and has appeared in the fourth-most games.