Candace Parker's iconic No. 3 is heading to the rafters in Los Angeles

Current TNT NBA commentator and former WNBA star Candace Parker is set to have her No. 3 jersey retired by the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday afternoon. Parker is one of the most decorated basketball players in the history of the sport and is a true pioneer in women's basketball. 

Parker was drafted No.1 overall by the Sparks in 2008 and spent 13 seasons with the franchise. Throughout her tenure in Los Angeles, she earned the Rookie of the Year award (2008), two league MVPs (2008, 2013) and the Defensive Player of the Year award (2020) and led the Sparks to a championship victory in 2016. Parker was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season. 

The seven-time All-Star was known for her stout defense, rebounding ability, and, despite being 6-foot-4, she could handle the ball, be effective as a shooter and work the post. In fact, Parker led the league in rebounding three times, led the league in blocks twice and earned a spot on the All-Defensive second team twice in her illustrious career. 

Parker came into the league after having a rather impressive collegiate career at Tennessee. She led the Lady Volunteers to two consecutive national titles and was named the most outstanding player in both occasions. Furthermore, Parker earned national player of the year honors consecutively (2007, 2008) and was the first female player to dunk in a NCAA tournament game back in 2006. 

Parker's rookie campaign is highly regarded as her best season ever, as she averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 blocks while shooting 52.3% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range. In fact, Parker is currently the only WNBA player in history to be in the top 10 in all time in points, rebounds, assists and blocks. 

The power forward was truly an anomaly for women's basketball, and her impact on and off the court is unprecedented.