Candace Parker’s name now lives in the rafters of another WNBA arena. On Monday night, the Chicago Sky retired Parker’s No. 3 jersey in a halftime ceremony packed with family, former teammates, and Chicago icons. The honor makes her only the second player in league history to have her jersey retired by multiple franchises, extending her place as one of basketball’s most enduring figures.
Chicago Sky pay tribute to Candace Parker with jersey retirement
Candace Parker, who grew up in Naperville and first made her mark at Naperville Central High School, returned to her home city late in her career to deliver the Sky their lone championship in 2021. Though she played just two seasons in Chicago, her impact remains immeasurable.“My heart will always belong to the state of Illinois, the city of Naperville and the city of Chicago,” Parker said. “It’s not just where I’m from, it’s the core of who I am.”The halftime celebration reflected the depth of her roots. Her high school coach Andy Nussbaum was in the stands, alongside fellow Chicago natives Common and Jennifer Hudson. Derrick Rose sent a tribute video, while former Sky teammate Kahleah Copper flew across the country just to be there. “I wouldn’t miss this day for anything, Candace,” Copper said. “Legend, champ, game-changer, icon. Leader, GOAT. That’s how I describe you.”Parker’s jeans even carried photos of her 2021 teammates, reminding fans of the title run that remains Chicago’s only professional championship since the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win. “To be from here to win a championship here, it’s nothing like it,” Parker reflected.
Candace Parker gets heartfelt responses amid her jersey retirement
Parker’s influence extends beyond numbers, though her résumé is staggering: two WNBA MVPs, seven All-Star nods, and three league championships with three different teams. She remains the only player in WNBA history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.Sky head coach Tyler Marsh called her “a basketball savant,” while teammate Elizabeth Williams summed it up simply: “Candace is a legend in every sense of the word. She’s won on every team she played on.”The Sky’s gesture ensured Parker’s No. 3 will hang alongside Allie Quigley’s No. 14, the only other retired number in franchise history. That company reflects Parker’s quick but powerful imprint on the team, one that will outlast her brief tenure on the court.Though injuries pushed her into retirement after a final season with the Las Vegas Aces, Parker has hardly slowed down. She is a rising voice in broadcasting and serves as president of women’s basketball for adidas. Still, Monday’s ceremony revealed that no matter where her path takes her, Chicago remains central to her identity.“I wasn’t drafted here … but somehow I found my way back here, and to play here was an honor,” Parker told the crowd. “And so to see (the jersey) go into the rafters, it means so much. It really does. I’m super grateful.”Also Read: Russell Westbrook celebrates lasting partnership with Nina Earl through vow renewal ceremony during vacation
