Candace Parker's Sparks' Jersey Officially Retired in Heartfelt Ceremony
Los Angeles Sparks' legend Candace Parker had her No. 3 jersey retired in a special halftime ceremony during halftime of Sunday's contest against Chicago.
The initial March announcement came less than a year since Parker announced her retirement from basketball in a social media post last April.
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“It’s about enjoying the process, enjoying the journey," Parker said in the halftime speech. "LA isn’t just about ball, it’s now where we call home.”
Candace Parker (No. 3) officially joins Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11) as just the third Sparks player in franchise history to have her jersey retired.
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) June 29, 2025
A legendary career and a well-deserved honor for a LA legend.
👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/PZnE0CvyFB
She became just the third player in Sparks' franchise history to have a jersey retired in the Crypto.com Arena rafters — joining Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11).
Parker, a three-time WNBA Champion and two-time MVP, spent 13 illustrious seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. She earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2008 and averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists across her time in Los Angeles.
A look at Candace Parker’s WNBA resume:
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) June 29, 2025
1x Rookie of the Year
10x All-WNBA Selection
3x WNBA Champion
2x WNBA MVP
2x All-Defensive Team Selection
1x Finals MVP
Her No. 3 jersey is just the third in LA Sparks history to be retired.pic.twitter.com/KmJ26Mp4vv
She still remains the sole player in league history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season.
Furthermore, she led the Sparks to a WNBA championship in 2016, securing the franchise's third title. Following her time in the purple and gold, Parker closed her career with two seasons in Chicago — helping win the franchise's sole title in 2021 — and one in Las Vegas, respectively.
A look at the exclusive @adidas “That’s Our Ace” shirts for every Sparks fan in attendance today — in honor of Candace Parker’s jersey retirement. pic.twitter.com/qbzKPHJg8D
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) June 29, 2025
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Chicago also plans to retire Parker's jersey on Aug. 25, during its game against the Las Vegas Aces,per a May 28 release.
All Sparks fans in attendance received an adidas "That's Our Ace" shirt in celebration of the honor.
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International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA
Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season
Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.
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