During the game between the Chicago Sky and the Los Angeles Sparks on June 29, a different kind of highlight reel played out under the golden lights of Crypto.com Arena—a heartfelt montage that showcased more than crossovers or buzzer-beaters, but a visual look at legacy, love, and a game changed forever.

Photo of Los Angeles Sparks great Candace Parker poses with current Sparks players at Crypto.com Arena. Photo by Dominique Williams.)Los Angeles Sparks great Candace Parker poses with current Sparks players at Crypto.com Arena. Photo by Dominique Williams.)

Former forward Candace Parker didn’t just return to the building where her WNBA journey began; she came home to a legacy, styled in elegance and history. This time around, Parker cemented her legacy as her jersey was retired by the Sparks in a memorable moment for the franchise.

Before tip-off between the Sky and the Sparks, Parker entered the press conference room with the same presence she once brought to the hardwood, one that resonated with confidence, influence and grace.

A hush of admiration fell over the room as the former WNBA MVP strode to the podium, her championship aura still undeniable. She rocked a braided front with curls spilling down the back, creating a crown-like effect that blended edge with elegance. It was reminiscent of Sanaa Lathan’s Monica Wright from the movie Love & Basketball, especially the scenes depicting her playing overseas in Spain. Do you remember? Parker’s style felt like a lovely homage to a classic ’90s black aesthetic.

It was fitting, almost cinematic—like the opening bars of a Jay-Z track.

Parker, a big fan of Jay-Z, has referred to how his music was the soundtrack to her playing career on the hardwood.

When asked which Jay-Z song defined this moment, Parker responded jokingly: “First of all, I love that you guys continue to know that I still am obsessed with Jay Z.” She then paused for a moment, a knowing grin on her face.

“The Frank Sinatra Remix,” she said. “I did it my way.”

Back when The Black Album dropped, HOV called the project his retirement. He eventually came back because greatness doesn’t clock out easily. As for Parker, she will continue to stand firm in her next chapter.

“The game prepared me for this phase of life,” she said. “Ownership, impact—I want to continue to grow the game, especially alongside Adidas as the president of women’s basketball.”

Her words rang out like a final verse, not of an ending, but an evolution. Parker reflected on how far women’s basketball—and the WNBA—has come, recalling a time when she and former NBA center Dwight Howard were both the No. 1 players in the nation coming out of high school but faced vastly different treatment. She shares how, back in college, she sometimes had nothing to eat but Papa John’s pizza before games because it was illegal for schools to pay their athletes.

“I think where the game is now is about the next generation picking it up and taking it to where it needs to go—leaving it better than you came into it,” she said.

Fast forward, and all these years later, Parker echoes the responsibility each generation has to keep pushing the game forward and help open doors for players to achieve endorsements and opportunities that once seemed out of reach.

She made it clear she didn’t do it alone, paying homage to the legends who paved the way for her.

“I had vets—[center] Lisa Leslie, who’s here today, and [forward] Cheryl Miller, who were huge inspirations for me. They laid the foundation for the style of play, the athleticism and the growth of the league,” Parker added.

Looking beyond basketball, Parker spoke passionately about the bigger impact of women’s sports on society as a whole.

“To see where women’s sports are today, I think as a society we should be proud,” she said. “We need women in leadership positions, and sport is one of the best ways to make that happen—by giving it a chance.”

With her jersey set to rise into the rafters, Parker’s pride wasn’t just about personal accolades—it was about opening doors for others.

“The proud vet and retiree in me is super excited watching the game now,” she said with a smile. “And I can honestly tell my kids: as a little girl or little boy, you can dream it, and you can do it. You can accomplish it.”

The Sparks drafted Parker No. 1 in 2008, but what she built here—13 years of blood, sweat, MVPs and championships—made her a legend in Los Angeles before she ever hung a jersey in the rafters.

Former Tennessee and L.A. Sparks players Rae Burrell, Rickea Jackson, and Mercedes Russell reflect on the impact Candace Parker, also a Lady Vol alum, has had on their careers in the WNBA.

As the celebration unfolded, one Sparks legend passed the torch to another. Leslie, Parker’s former teammate, mentor, and one of the most iconic figures in women’s basketball, stepped forward to honor the moment.

“She changed the game,” Leslie said, her voice filled with pride. “I was elated to have her as a teammate, and I knew when I handed the keys over to Candace Parker, the Sparks were in good hands.”

She added with conviction: “Nobody else can do what she’s done for the L.A. Sparks.”

Two league MVPs, three WNBA titles, one Finals MVP, six All-Star selections and two Olympic gold medals. Parker changed how people view post players—with the handles of a guard, the IQ of a coach and the presence of a superstar.

As Parker’s No. 3 rises, it is not just a symbol of her stats, but a crown, a reminder to every young girl in the stands that dreams are real, motion is forward, and greatness has a name: Candace Parker.

Here’s a look at the journey of Candace Parker from rising star to living legend in the WNBA.

The spark ignites in Naperville

Parker grew up in Naperville, Illinois,is not just after moving from St. Louis, Missouri at a young age, and she quickly fell in love with basketball. Her older brother, Anthony Parker, played in the NBA, but Candace quickly stepped out of his shadow and into her own spotlight.

At Naperville Central High School, she dominated with her versatile game, leading her team to back-to-back state titles and earning two Naismith Prep Player of the Year honors. In 2004, she became the first woman to win the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest, not just turning heads with her athleticism, but redefining what women’s basketball could look like: bold, graceful and unapologetic.

Becoming a pro and a mother

Parker entered the 2008 WNBA draft with the weight of expectation and the talent to exceed it. The Los Angeles Sparks selected her No. 1 overall, and she wasted no time proving them right. As a rookie, she dominated the league, averaging 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, capturing both Rookie of the Year and league MVP honors. No one before her had ever pulled off that historic double.

That same year, Parker revealed another powerful chapter: she was pregnant with her daughter, Lailaa. She didn’t pause her pursuit of greatness—instead, she redefined it. While balancing late-night feedings and early morning practices, she returned to the court with the same passion, navigating injuries, media pressure and the complexities of being both a franchise player and a full-time mom.

Over the next decade, Parker anchored the Sparks as one of the WNBA’s brightest stars. In 2016, she delivered a career-defining moment, guiding the Sparks to their first WNBA championship in 14 years and earning Finals MVP. When she fell to the floor in tears, dedicating the victory to her late college coach Pat Summitt, fans witnessed the emotional weight of a journey filled with sacrifice and triumph.

A Chicago homecoming

In 2021, Parker shocked the league by leaving L.A. to sign with her hometown team, the Chicago Sky. She stepped in as the heart and voice of a team ready to rise and immediately transformed the Sky into contenders.

With Parker at the helm, Chicago stormed through the postseason as underdogs, ultimately capturing the franchise’s first-ever WNBA championship in 2021 over the Phoenix Mercury. She celebrated that title not just as a player, but as a daughter of Chicago. With her family in the stands and her city behind her, she cemented her legacy, proving she could lead, elevate and win at every stop.

Final stop: Las Vegas and a legacy established

In 2023, Parker took her talents to the Las Vegas Aces—a superteam with championship aspirations. While injuries limited her time on the court, her impact rippled through the roster. The Aces captured their second consecutive WNBA title that year, and Parker added her name to the record books once more, becoming the first player in league history to win championships with three different franchises.

In April 2024, Parker announced her retirement after 16 seasons. She would hang up the kicks and close an iconic chapter with grace, purpose and unmatched influence on the game. But even in retirement, she continues to shape the sport, using her voice as an analyst on TNT and mentoring the next generation of players with the same care she once gave her teammates.

More than a jersey

The dual-city celebration—Los Angeles now, Chicago next—reflects Parker’s rare and lasting impact on multiple franchises. When asked how her jersey retirements will extend her influence, Parker responded with a message rooted in purpose:

“To see the [No.] 3 in the rafters, where I picked up the ball, and where I call home, is incredible,” Parker said. “It’s about dreams and opportunity. I hope it inspires little girls out there.”

Naperville to Knoxville, Los Angeles to Chicago, and finally Las Vegas. From dunking as a rookie to motherhood, to championship parades and broadcasting brilliance, Candace Parker never followed the script. She wrote her own verse in the game.,